Dedicated marketing and publicity spend - publicist to be engaged to promote this title. Blurbs already available from Leila Aboulela, Veronique Tadjo, Zoe Wicomb; forthcoming from Helon Habila. Further blurbs to be sought. Advance Reading copies available early for reviewers and stores National media targets include literary fiction editors and reviewers in national dailies and magazines, and trade magazines Author articles and interviews at time of publication Excerpts in selected publications Announcement e-mails to be sent to independent bookstores and book clubs, literary bloggers and websites Publicity and promotion in conjunction with the author's speaking engagements High profile social media campaign to coincide with launch. Twitter and Facebook campaign by publisher, author and PR agent, to include contests and giveaways. Cassava Republic has has strong social media presence - over 16k followers on Facebook. Bookstore co-op available

An affair between 55-year-old widow Binta Zubairu and 25-year-old weed dealer Reza was bound to provoke condemnation inconservative Northern Nigeria. Brought together in unusual circumstances, Binta and Reza faced a need they could only satisfy in each other. Binta - previously reconciled with God - now yearns for intimacy after the sexual repression of her marriage, the pain of losing her first son and the privations of widowhood. Meanwhile, Reza's heart lies empty and waiting to be filled due to the absence of a mother. The situation comes to a head when Binta's wealthy son confronts Reza, with disastrous consequences. This story of love and longing - set against undercurrents of political violence - unfurls gently, revealing layers of emotion that defy age, class and religion.