Maria Nhambu, Author of "Drum Beats, Heart Beats," receives coveted Book Excellence Award

MINNEAPOLIS - Aug. 5, 2019 - PRLog -- Maria Nhambu's Drum Beats, Heart Beats wins a Book Excellence Award in the autobiography category. Founded in Toronto, Ontario, the Book Excellence Awards is an international book awards competition dedicated to recognizing both independent and traditionally published authors and publishers for excellence in writing, design and overall market appeal. Previous Winners and Finalists of the Book Excellence Awards have doubled their book sales, garnered attention from film producers, received distribution in book stores and increased their visibility and media attention.

"I'm so pleased to have won the Book Excellence Award again this year! It feels wonderful to have all the love, work and tears that I poured into this book acknowledged," says Maria Nhambu. "I often say this memoir wanted to be written because it has a mission in the world. My story can inspire and encourage others to overcome obstacles and live their best lives, no matter what. People draw courage and hope from my books."

Drum Beats, Heart Beats is the powerful story of Maria Nhambu's return to Tanzania in search of her father. The final volume of the trilogy answers questions about Nhambu's identity and narrates crises, challenges, and the painful unraveling of some of her attained dreams. Throughout her life, deep ties to Africa sustain and inspire her.

The story of how she came to be known by her African name, Nhambu, is part of the lore of her book. As one reviewer (Divine Zape, Readers' Favorites) says, "It is timely and very relevant, with themes and a message that addresses the conundrum of contemporary discrimination and the color line." For anyone interested in contemporary issues, Drum Beats, Heart Beats is a treasure trove of experiences, stories, and glimpses into a challenging life well lived.

Nhambu gives readers insight into survival as she faced learning about her origins, divorce, illness, and donating her beloved art.

The book has received fine reviews. "Nhambu's illuminating, riveting and often surprising third book of her memoir trilogy is an excellent narrative," wrote Mitchell Dasher, President, Kappa Upsilon Charitable Foundation. "Through trauma and triumph, love and betrayal, the 'Drum Beats' and 'Heart Beats' of her native Africa lead Nhambu on an ultimate journey of transcendence that will enthrall and inspire readers around the world," writes Natasha C. Vaubel, African history, literature, and film scholar.

Nhambu's previous books, Africa's Child and America's Daughter, were named Book Excellence Award Finalists in 2017 and 2018.