Interview & $15 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway: Summoned by Susan Leigh Noble

Original Title: Summoned
Series: The Elemental Trilogy #1
Author: Susan Leigh Noble
Release Date: August 13th 2011
Genre: Fantasy

Lina wants an ordinary life in the Grasslands of Zena. But she isn’t ordinary at all. At the age of four, she discovered she could start fires with a mere thought - an ability believed to have died out long ago. Cautioned by her telepathic cat, Tosh, she keeps this Elemental power a secret in fear of how the outside world would react. There is something else different about Lina - she feels a strange force compelling her to go north.

Before she can decide whether to give into this mysterious urge, she is kidnapped by gypsies and wakes in a foreign land. The desire to travel north is as strong as ever. When a strange raging fire prevents her return home, Lina realizes she must find out once and for all what or who is summoning her.

On her journey, she befriends an odd assortment of allies including the son of a High Council member, a thief, a former guardsman and a large sarcastic black dragon. Together they battle mystical creatures and unnatural forces, although such magic had ceased to exist over 800 years ago.  During each battle, Lina must use her innate Elemental power as she becomes more certain that someone is using magic against her. When she discovers the shocking truth, it will change her life in ways she could never imagine.

EXCERPT

Then he saw one of the men break away from the battle. His sword held ready, the man set his horse directly toward them. Tosh lashed his tail angrily against the saddle. He had succeeded in getting her out of the danger of the initial attack but that lone rider would soon be upon them, and Lina had no weapon. He considered his options. He only saw one clear choice. He lifted his paw, claws outstretched.

Lina, hold on.

He prepared to slash the mare again, but as he raised his paw, he caught a glimpse of her face. She was staring intently at the man racing toward them. Her face held a determined look as the wind began to blow her hair. The long honey-colored locks whipped around her face as the wind began to blow harder.  The force was so strong Tosh had to dig his claws into the saddle in order to stay on the mare. He whirled around in time to see the full force of Lina’s gust of wind hit the attacker. The man fell backward, his arms outstretched as if to grab the saddle. But his fingers missed and continued backward. Then Tosh heard the sickening sound of the man’s head hitting his horse’s rear hoof. The man hit the ground with a deadening thud and lay motionless. Lina cringed, a look of shock on her face.  

“I didn’t mean...” she whispered in a sick voice. Her eyes had a haunted look, and she shook her head slightly as if in disbelief over what had happened.

You had to stop him, Lina. He leaned against her, tucking his head into the crook of her arm. 

Lina hung her head down. Her honey-colored hair fell around him like a curtain. “But I only meant to stop him.” She stared at the motionless man before her. “Not to kill him.”

INTERVIEW WITH SUSAN LEIGH NOBLE

1. Tell us something about your book that is not part of the book description (blurb).

As Lina travels north to find the source of what unnatural force is pulling her away from her homeland, her own innate magical power grows. During a battle, she ends up killing a soldier. This brings about an internal struggle of whether she can ever use her powers in battle again.   

2. Who is your book cover designer and what do YOU think about the cover?

My book cover was created by Donna Casey of Digitaldonna.com. She did a wonderful job of taking my concept and making it look awesome. I love the cover and have received lots of compliments on it. I liked it so much that the covers for the rest of the trilogy have similar covers.

3.   What are your current literary works?  Any sneak peeks?

       

I am currently working on the final book in The Elemental trilogy.  Below is a sneak peek from that  Book 3 (currently unnamed).

The boy drug his spoon across the bottom of the bowl as he scraped up the last of the stew. He stared at the bowl as if he wished he could pick it up and lick the remaining gravy from the sides.

Selda watched him, half amused. It had taken her most of the previous day to find the one person she thought could give her the information she and Slade needed. It hadn’t been hard to pinpoint the location of the thieves hide out. She had spent most of the day watching the place. Twice she had seen the boy wandering outside the Red Lion tavern. A few discrete inquiries at some of the neighboring businesses had confirmed what she needed to know. Griffin was the son of a thief who had recently died. And more importantly, he had often been inside the thieves’ headquarters. He would have insider information. And having been on the street for a few weeks, he would be hungry.

“So Griffin,” Selda said as she signaled for a refill of his bowl. “Regina’s currently gone. So who would she leave in charge.”

“Dunno.”

She tried a different approach. “Did your father ever mention who Regina trusted most?”

“Beck’s around a lot.” Griffin’s face lit up as a second bowl of stew was placed in front of him. His dark hair fell across his face as he gulped down the food. 

Selda had to fight the urge to brush the hair from his eyes. She didn’t know where that instinct came from as she had never had a maternal thought before in her life.

“Beck, huh? Is he a good thief?”

“Father called him a mole.”

“Mole?”

“Digs up information for her. Never heard of him stealin' nothing for her but information.”

Selda shook her head. Beck wouldn’t be any use to her. “Who else would she turn to if she wanted something?”

“That would be Hodge.” The boy’s eyes darted to the entrance of the tavern. “Or Esma,” he said pointing with his chin at the woman who had just entered.

Selda turned to see a petite woman wearing a tight dress move toward the bar. Her dress was low cut to show off her firm breasts. She walked with an attitude that clearly indicated she knew all the men were watching her. As Selda watched her flirt with the barman, an idea began to form. She would be perfect.

4. What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

I don’t see a lot of movies in the theaters but still hoping to catch the Avengers before it leaves the theater. 

5. If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?

Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks, Jon Bon Jovi, Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Michelle Gellar

6. Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. 

Summoned blends magic, adventure, and sword fighting into an intriguing tale about a young woman, her telepathic cat and a sarcastic black dragon.

7. Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

Hearing from readers is always rewarding. I like reading their reviews, and I even once got a message from a reader on Twitter as she was reading Summoned.  

8. What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

If writing is what you love, don’t give up. Keep at it.

9. If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

Apart from my own world, I think I would jump into Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series. While I wouldn’t like not having modern conveniences, I would love to have my own dragon.

10. If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?

Since my life is so crazy busy right now, it would probably be called Where’s my Duplicating Machine?  (I really could use a copy of myself to get everything done.)

11. What is your favorite scene in the book and why do you love it?

My favorite scene from the book of my life? Hmmm, hard to pick just one. I would have to say my honeymoon in Walt Disney World was pretty great.  If you are talking about in Summoned, I love when Lina meets the dragon Zoot. It shows Lina’s caring nature and has a few funny lines in it too.   

12. What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you'd be embarrassed to admit?

I watch CMT’s The Singing Bee. I don’t usually listen to country music and don’t do karaoke, but something about that show makes me want to watch.     

13. What is one book everyone should read (apart from yours)?

There are so many great books out there it is hard to pick just one, but I would think To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is one everyone should read. 

14. What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?

My favorite way to spend a rainy day would be lying in bed reading a book.

QUICK ANSWERS

Favorite place?

Disney World (was just there at the beginning of June)

Best Christmas present?

Books are always great - or jewelry!

Favorite book?

Can’t pick just one!

Favorite author?

Nora Roberts

Favorite smell?

Roses

Favorite series?

The Belgariad by David Eddings

Nickname?

None

Favorite writing spot?

On the couch

Favorite movie?

Hitch

Favorite dish?

cheesecake

Favorite color?

Forest green

Favorite quote?

“Medicine for the soul.” - the inscription over the door of the Library at Thebes.

A bunch of small gifts or one big expensive one?

Big expensive one

Your best trait?

Detailed/Planner

Your worst trait?

Worrier

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan Leigh Noble has always loved dragons and magic so it is no wonder that she became an author of fantasy novels. As a cat lover, she also threw a telepathic cat into the mix for her The Elemental Series. The first two books, Summoned and Quietus, have already been released in e-book format. She is currently working on the third and final chapter of the trilogy.

When she isn’t writing, Susan is an active volunteer in her neighborhood and at her children’s schools. She lives with her husband, two children and three cats in Texas.

AUTHOR ONLINE: Email | Facebook | Twitter | Website

GIVEAWAY

Susan will award a $15 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour and a $10 Amazon GC to the host with the most comments (excluding Susan's and the host's).


In order to enter this $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway, please comment in this post WITH your email ID.  Anonymous comments are also accepted, as long as you put your name and email ID in your comments.  

Open INTERNATIONALLY!  Giveaway ends July 13th, 2012!

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