Hunted by Hawks...

New novel weaves intricate story of secrets and lies

Ikenna has been running from his past, but it’s about to catch up with him in ‘Hunted By Hawks’

NOTTINGHAM, England – In “Hunted by Hawks” (published by AuthorHouse) , author Obianuju Chiamaka Amamgbo takes readers to her native Eastern Nigeria for an intriguing story of revenge and secrecy.

“No matter how ugly a secret may be,” Amamgbo says, “it pays to be honest about it, especially to people you love and care about. Honesty will always make a difference.”

Ikenna has worked tirelessly to bury his haunting past. Unknown to him, his arch enemy, Tochi, has been keeping a close eye on him, and when the chance to ruin Ikenna’s young son arrives, Tochi pounces on the opportunity. Now, Ikenna is faced with a serious decision. He can come clean to his once happy family about his painful past, or he can continue to hide the shame that has burdened him all these years. Will Ikenna chose to reveal his secret, even if it means losing his family?

“Hunted By Hawks” explores themes of corruption and deceit and creates a flawed protagonist that readers can relate to and will want to cheer on. “Even though it is fiction, anyone and everyone can relate to the themes portrayed in the story line at one point or another of their lives,” writes Amamgbo. “These events are things people deal with regularly.”

Storyline

Set in Eastern Nigeria, Hunted by Hawks tells the story of Ikenna whose hidden past re-surfaces in his life to haunt him. Unknown to him, Tochi his arch enemy and leader of their notorious gang has been plotting revenge after he was released from prison years ago. Tochi kept close contact with him from a distance and managed to get his claws on one of his sons Emeka. With the strange discovery of what Emeka was involved in, the once happy family was at the verge of being destroyed. By the time Ikenna realised what was happening, he is faced with reliving the past he fought so hard to bury. He has to decide whether to come clean with his family and risk losing them, or to keep his secret and save them the looming agony of his ugly past. Nonye, Ikenna's wife, is equally forced by the ugly circumstance to make a choice. Having built an impressive reputation in her legal career, will the high moral lawyer bend the law to save her husband and family, or will she save her career at the expense of her family?
 

“Hunted by Hawks”

By Obianuju Chiamaka Amamgbo
Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 172 pages | ISBN 9781491880470
Softcover | 6 x 9in | 172 pages | ISBN 9781491880487
E-Book | 172 pages | ISBN 9781491880494
----> Available at http://www.ochiamaka.com/ Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Dawn in Ụmụogu

Part 4

Early the next morning, Ifeatụ woke up to an empty house; there was no sign of Akwaugo. He thought she must have gone to fetch water but when it was past her normal time, he got worried and feared she might have left him. He quickly got dressed, and went in search of her. When he could not find any trace of her in the vicinity, he decided to go home, freshen up and prepare to search for her in neighbouring towns and villages. But on getting home, there she was, selecting herbs that were scattered on the mat on the floor.

He heaved a sigh of relief, “Where have you been Akwaugo? I have been all over the place looking for you,” he said expressing his displeasure with her.

“Good day papa. I went in search of healing herbs for Igwe Ọnọchie’s son,” she replied innocently, “I am sorry I did not tell you before leaving but that was because I did not want to wake you up. I felt it was too early to disturb an old man resting his weak bones,” she teased.

“I was worried about your whereabouts, Akwaugo. I thought you left because of the talk last night,” he expressed his concern.

“No way papa, you taught me more than that. I have this burning desire for the Igwe’s condition. Waiting for Ikuku could be disaster; nobody knows when he will return,” she explained.

“You really think you are doing the right thing?” he asked pointing at the herbs.

“Absolutely, papa, I do. Whether they accept my offer is up to them. But I won’t sit here and assume they will throw my genuine help back at me without my trying,” she replied and continued with her selection.

“And when do you want to go over?” he asked as he drew his cane chair close to the mud wall and sat on it. His legs were aching from the long tiring walk he just returned from.

“As soon as I sort the possible combination that I would use,” she replied.

“That would be after you have given me my food. I am hungry.”

“I will check if the food is warm enough now,” she replied and went to the kitchen.

Dawn in Ụmụogu

Part 2

Ifeatu looked at her beautiful face to appreciate her rare beauty. Akwaugo was a beauty to behold, a pride of every parent, envy to her fellow maiden, and a charm to the men folk. Looking taller than her age, her childlike face spoke of her innocence and amazing personality, secretly admired by the whole village. She was very intelligent and hard-working young woman, who was as brave and fearless as a lion; thanks to him who taught her the need to be strong and independent. Her manly attributes were the result of what she had seen and helped him do. Since there was no other male figure in the family, Akwaugo took over the low chores, as well as female chores quite early in life. Therefore apart from the cooking and keeping the house clean, she equally fetched firewood and at times had to hew them with the cutlass or axe such that she became an expert in handling the tools. She equally cut grass for the goats, fixes the bamboo roof top, and builds the yam barn. She learnt how to put up the barn by secretly watching Ifeatụ do it over the years. It was a big surprise to Ifeatụ when his strength failed him and she took over. Because of the way the tradition frowned at women doing manly chores Ifeatụ tried unsuccessfully to prevent her from doing them, but gave up when he saw he was merely pulling a horse through the eye of the needle.

“Akwaugo my dear daughter, you were rejected by Ụmụogu people due to the circumstances that led to your birth,” Ifeatụ began that afternoon. “Your late mother’s name was Urenna but unfortunately we do not know who your father was.”

Dawn in Ụmụogu

Part 1
Egwu ụmụ nma, iyo oko oko
Egwu ha amaka, iyo oko oko
Ọ dị ka m bụrụ ha, iyo oko oko

That had always been her favourite song on her way to the village stream or to fetch firewood. She loved singing and dancing the maiden dance held annually during special festival. Unfortunately, she was not part of that dance due to circumstances surrounding her existence. With her melodious voice and artistic dancing skills, the damsel displayed for her only friend, her grandfather who had become everything to her. He had become the mother she lost at a tender age and the father she never knew. Everything she knew about life was from him, a good teacher, kind and generous grandfather.

Akwaugo loved the serenity she found when walking to the stream in the early hours of the morning, when the sun was yet to grace the earth, and the people on it savoured the peaceful, quiet sleep; when the plants and trees had a quiet refreshing of the dew, while birds enjoy the freedom of perching from one tree to the other, listening to her sweet melodies. She could feel the trees awake by her presence as they gently swirled from side to side, responding to every sound of her feet and the rhythm of her melody.

EXTRACT "Tears on her Pillow"

Everywhere was dark except for the candlelight by the bedside. The night outside was calm, as the moon shone. Voices were heard but quite low. In the room a big sized picture frame hung just opposite the bed-landscape drawing; and it looked lovely. Beside the bed, a neatly arranged red rose stood on the side with a lamp stand. It still smelled fresh as it was well scented. The wardrobe at the far end of the room was neatly arranged with clothes on the hangers and shoes on the floor. On top of the wardrobe was a set of boxes.


Everything seemed to be in order except in her mind. She lay faced up in her cream flowered nightgown. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she remembered the events of the day. She could not believe that such a thing had happen to her. How could Uloaku do this to her? They never had any misunderstanding before. They got along quite well. Why the sudden change in behaviour? She wondered, as she turned to the other side of the bed and the tears turned to sobs.