Nomad Authors is proud to host Linda Nightingale and her book The Summoning! Read an excerpt and then find out about Linda and the fantastic giveaway she has going below!!
Blurb:
Heather Morique is a witch. The problem is she doesn’t know it. Her husband Jahill was a refugee from an obscure branch of the Arawak Indians. After his death, mysterious whispers lure her to his homeland of Jamaica. Soon, she finds herself in a web of secrets, lies and illusions.
Jahill’s people worship Eyrael, the God of Wind and Sea, and his brother Sofiel, the God of Fire and Earth. The new Shaman has pitted brother against brother, and these two powerful spirits from an alternate universe fight to become the tribe’s ruling deity. Will light or darkness reign?
When Heather unwittingly summons Eyrael, these two unlikely soul mates face a dangerous fate. The chemistry between them is more disturbing than the long-buried secrets.
Buy The Summoning here.
Research for The Summoning
In The Summoning, I played fast and loose with the religion of a group of people almost destroyed by the Spanish in the 1400s. Here, I claim poetic license. There is a small number of Arawak Indians surviving in Guyana, only about 15,000, but they do represent one-third of the Indian population in that country.
The tribe of the past were agriculturists who lived in villages of sometime 3,000 and more. I was more concerned with their religion. Their religious beliefs centered on a hieracy of nature spirits and ancestors, somewhat paralleling the hierarchies of chiefs. Bingo! Nature spirits – 
The Arawaks were an indigenous people in South America but some of the tribe had migrated to the Caribbean centuries ago. The Summoning is set in Jamaica –
Eyrael, the hero, is the God of Wind and Sea to this obscure, isolated branch of the tribe. Their Shaman, a young and arrogant man, is one of the villains. I named him Taino after the Indians who migrated to the Caribbean. First villain done. –
The other villain in the story is Sofiel, the God of Fire and Earth. In the other dimension from which they have been summoned, he is Eyrael’s brother.
The Shaman prefers Sofiel to Eyrael and is working to eliminate Eyrael from worship by the people. Second villain –
The book required little research, except Jamaica. I’ve never been there. I needed the color, the sights and sounds—namely the feel of the place. So, off to the internet I went in search of Jamaica. I think I succeeded because one reviewer said, “The author’s descriptions of Jamaica and of the horse into which Eyrael shifts are detailed and lovely. You hear the hoof beats and feel the heat of the tropics.”
With all my checkmarks, you can easily see that very little research was needed. Usually, I find that research will deliver much more than I need, and I’ll find myself using sometimes a few sentences. BUT it does give me the feel of the place or whatever I’m researching and that’s all important to me.
Excerpt for The Summoning:
Eyrael, the shape shifter in the form of the perfect man, sank cross-legged on the floor and held her gaze. “We sat on that sofa. You lay back your head and closed your eyes. I asked how long you had ridden and what breed was your favorite horse. You did not answer. You had fallen asleep. I carried you to bed.”
“Carried me to bed?” She frowned, trying to remember. “Oh. When I woke up, I was naked. What happened to my dress?”
“The ceremonial dress in which they had robed you was soaked, thick with salt and sand,” he said, matter-of-factly. “If you actually want it, you will find it in the bath.”
His arrogance amazed her, but Heather was glad he hadn’t thrown her into bed in a wet dress. “They robed me? I—I don’t remember.”
“You were under some sort of spell, I believe.”
She nodded, recalling the dreamlike state. Was she shocked that this stranger—stranger than fiction—who’d saved her life had undressed her? Ask anyone who’d read her love scenes, Heather McClain was no prude. Was her alter-ego, Heather Morique?
A warm hand brushed the top of her cold foot. “You are silent. Is something wrong?”
Again, that electric trill at a mere touch! “No, no. I—thank you. I’d be dead now if you hadn’t rescued me.”
“Yes, you would. If you are ready now, you can repay me.”
“Repay you?” Why should she be surprised? No one did anything anymore for free, but what need had a spirit of money? “If you want cash, we’ll have to find an ATM.”
He leaned back against the coffee table, regarding her with amusement. “I do not need your money, beautiful witch. I seek only Pleasure, and I am certain you can exceed even my high expectations.”
Heather’s jaw dropped. “Pleasure? Do you mean you want me to…”
The God of Wind and Sea grinned, mischief dancing in his eyes. “Yes, Heather.” He sobered, shaking his head. “Not sex only. I want to make love to you.”
How could this creature simply assume she’d have sex with him? Shocked, yet flattered in an odd way, she arched her brows. “No.”
He straightened, staring at her as if she’d sprouted wings. “But I saved your life.”
Oh, dear God, she’d heard in certain cultures if you saved a life, that life belonged to you.
“Eyrael, I’m very, very grateful.” She folded trembling hands and met his gaze squarely. “I don’t intend to f-word you, however.”
Liar! When that’s exactly what I want. What am I saying? I’m recently widowed… Right…by a man who betrayed me. Why not pay my debt? Pleasant repayment.
Who was she kidding? Tempted or not, she couldn’t have sex with a total stranger.
He laughed, the melody this time with a touch of bitterness—or surprise that anyone would refuse him. “So be it.” He rose, beautiful, graceful as his sea. “Then I shall take my leave.”
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About Linda Nightingale:
Linda has lived a fascinating life and won some prestigious awards for her writing. Find out more about her on her website and various social media, and she’d love to hear from you via email.
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Web Site – Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story.
Blog – Lots of interesting guests & prizes
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Books, by Linda Nightingale:
Love For Sale
Gambler’s Choice
Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody
Gylded Wings
Her General in Gray
The Summoning
Sinner’s Obsession
Cardinal Desires
Fantastic giveaway:
Linda will be giving away a $15 Gift Card through Rafflecopter! Winner will be announced 8/30. Follow her on tour for more fun and chances to win!