Title: The Summoning
Author: Linda Nightingale
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Book Blurb:
Heather Morique is a witch. The problem is she doesn’t know she is. After her husband’s death, mysterious whispers lure her to his homeland of Jamaica. Soon, she is tangled in a web of lies and illusions, and suddenly the prey of a crazed Shaman.
Her husband’s people, an obscure branch of the Arawak Indians, 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 in a battle to determine the tribe’s ruling deity. Onto this dangerous chessboard steps Heather when she unwittingly summons Eyrael. The chemistry between these two unlikely soul mates is more disturbing than the long-buried secrets.
Excerpt:
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.”
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.”
Turning away, he hesitated, then again faced her. “Did you commit crimes against the People?”
Heather closed her eyes, shaking her head. “I did nothing. For some reason, Taino is convinced I caused my husband’s death.” She opened her eyes and met the question in Eryael’s. “As I said, he died in a fiery car accident. We weren’t—I had nothing to do with it.”
“I must warn you Taino and Sofiel are not finished with you. Heather, you are in danger. The Shaman intends to exact his misbegotten revenge.”
She shot to her feet and said without thinking, “I’ll leave Jamaica at once.”
“Do you think a powerful spirit and a cunning witchdoctor cannot find you?” He flung an elegant gesture. “They will pursue you. The next time, they will slaughter you like the lamb you are.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
If you could dress up as anything or anyone this Halloween, what or who would it be and why?
A unicorn. I have a silver horn that I purchased from Pyramid Collection (a stretchy circlet). I’ll wear my rainbow-colored wig with the horn. Add a white, full length formal with a galaxy of silver sequins, and presto—a human unicorn—caught in the transition from beast to Man. We have a Halloween dance at the Elk’s Lodge, and I’ll be my unicorn as I run the Wine Toss in the Carnival before the dance. (You don’t toss wine bottles—but ring a wine bottle to win a split of champagne. So, I’ll gallop on in as my best imitation of a unicorn.
Explain why your featured book is a treat to read:
I wrote it! Kidding. It’s a fun read with a hero to fall in love with—he’s an ancient spirit from another dimension, a shapeshifter, and he saved the heroine’s life. Yep, an all-around nice guy—just not a local. The book offers love, suspense, and a laugh (I hope) or two. It was a Night Owl Reviews Top Pick and is a Finalist in the Raven Awards.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Canada account to win.
Runs October 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on November 1.
Author Biography:
I was born not created in a lab as my relatives conjecture. I always loved horses—from the crib, I think. So, when I turned thirty, I began breeding, training and showing the magnificent Andalusian horse. Also, from a young age, I loved sports cars. We played games when our family of 3 were on the road—name that car—and most times I could. I have two lovely sons, no horses now, but I do have a sports car. I’m a retired legal assistant. I have seven books from TWRP, one self-published (The Summoning), and one (Royal Secrets) on Readict, an online reading app. There was a lot of living in between, but that would take more than a paragraph.
Social Media Links:
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Web Site: http://www.lindanightingale.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lbnightingale1/