Author Ananda Leeke Accepts Honorary Membership into the National League of American Pen Women

PR Log (Press Release) – Apr 10, 2008 – Washington, DC -- Patricia Daly-Lipe, Ph.D, President of the Washington DC Branch of the National League of American Pen Women invited Author Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke to become an honorary member after Leeke's book reading at the Historical Society of Washington, DC on April 9. Leeke graciously accepted the invitation and plans to participate in the DC Branch's spring activities.

The National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW) was established in 1897. NLAPW is a not-for-profit organization made up of women who have demonstrated creative talents in art, letters, and music composition. The purpose of the League is to encourage the production of creative work of professional standard in art, letters, and music and to provide, through outreach, activities and educational, creative, and professional support to nonmembers in those fields. There are Pen Women branches throughout the United States. The national motto is: "One for all and all for one." The League's national headquarters, the Pen Arts Building, is located in the Dupont Circle Historic District (1300 17th Street, NW) in Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.americanpenwomen.org. To learn more about the DC Branch, visit www.nlapw-dc.org.

Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke tells the story of Karma Francois, a thirtysomething California-born BoHo BAP (Bohemian Black American Princess) with Louisiana roots and urban debutante flair. The book shows how a woman uses therapy, yoga, meditation, art, music, poetry, and support from family and friends to confront the effects of her poor life choices and embrace a spiritual journey of healing and love. The book was published by iUniverse, Inc. and is available through Amazon.com, Barnesandnobles.com, Borders.com, Target.com, and Bookamillion.com.

The novel was written to encourage self-discovery and healing, celebrate poetry and jazz, cultivate financial literacy, illustrate the diversity of loving relationships (straight, lesbian, and gay), emphasize the importance of yoga and meditation practice, and develop HIV/AIDS awareness. It was also written to celebrate Black history, art, culture, and music; Washington, DC neighborhoods such as U Street, Shaw, Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle; and the cultural connections that African Americans share with Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America.