As Long As You’re Mine
by Nekesa Afia.
(Lake Union/Amazon Publishing October 1, 2025)
Young author Nekesa Afia is a true crime obsessive and loves to put together puzzles. After writing a successful mystery series for Harlequin, she has landed her first deal with Amazon Publishing’s Lake Union imprint.
Her latest book, As Long As You’re Mine, is set beneath the glitter of 1930s Hollywood, where dangerous secrets connect two generations of women. The atmospheric dual-timeline mystery about identity, sacrifice, and survival.
Professional ballerina Thea Ross’s world shatters when her screen-legend father commits suicide, leaving behind a shocking confession to a decades-old murder. Determined to uncover the truth, Thea teams up with a relentless journalist, following a trail of clues that leads her back to the glittering yet treacherous world of 1930s Hollywood.
There, she discovers the story of Lorelei Davies, a struggling actress willing to endure anything for her family’s sake. As Thea peels back the layers of Lorelei’s life—her dreams, fears, and dangerous secrets—the connection between Lorelei’s past and Thea’s present challenges everything she believes about her family history. But as she untangles all the lies, she comes to know herself more truly than ever before.
As Thea navigates the glamorous facade of Old Hollywood, she must decide whether uncovering the truth about her father is worth sacrificing the life she planned—and whether some secrets are better left buried in Hollywood’s golden age.
Nekesa Afia complete her journalism degree in 2017, then pursued a certificate in publishing, fully intending to become an editor and work in children’s literature.
After many submissions to agents and working with her publishing house on edits and proofreading, her debut, Dead Dead Girls hit the shelves in 2021.
Nekesa never saw herself writing mysteries. The idea for Dead Dead Girls first came to life in one of her university history classes focused on 1800s London and New York. What started as a thought of “what if Jack the Ripper was in the 1920s” became multiple novels.
“It was so crazy that I wrote the book thinking, ‘I don’t know if I can write,’ and people saw the potential in my work. It’ll always feel so surreal.” – Nekesa
After many glowing reviews (including from the New York Times), Nekesa wrote the second book in her mystery series, Harlem Sunset. Looking back, she didn’t believe she would be where she is in her career now if not for her persistence—one of her biggest challenges was pushing through to her goal despite her worries.
“Learning to write was hard, but getting over that fear was everything… Learning to ignore reviews helped too,” she has said in interviews.
Praise for the Book
“Nekesa Afia’s creation of 1930s Tinseltown gives life to stereotyped characters—a predatory film director, a jealous starlet, and a gossip columnist…” —Historical Novels Review
“Afia brings a compelling mystery and mostly well-drawn characters to this story about the dark side of Hollywood, family secrets, and finding a place that feels like home.” —Booklist
“Passionate, emotional, suspenseful, and intensely human. Nekesa Afia writes a lush and atmospheric story like no one else, and As Long as You’re Mine is no exception. At once sensual and chilling, it’s a raw, unflinching look at the things we do in the name of identity, survival, and love. It’s the kind of novel that forces you to turn the pages until you get to the end. A sensational story, penned by a sensational writer.” —Ali Hazelwood, #1 New York Times bestselling author
About the Author
Born in Calgary, but now residing in Toronto Nakisha Afia has a degree in journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University and a certificate and Publishing from Centennial College. A self proclaimed mid-century modern fan, Nakisha loves a Saturday afternoon, spent in front of the classic movie channel when she isn’t writing, you can find her sewing, swing, dancing, or actively trying to pet every dog she sees. Nasha Afia is also the author of the Harlem Renaissance mystery series.
