Summoned by Susan Leigh Noble - Virtual tour and Giveaway

Today we're welcoming author Susan Leigh Noble to the blog on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for her fantasy novel, "Summoned". I have such amazing love for this cover!!

Susan is giving away a $15 GC to Amazon to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the banner over there on the left, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops)! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a GC!

Susan was brave enough to share five things about her that we might not guess.  Take it away, Susan!

Must say that I love the title of your blog! Let’s see five things about me that you might not guess about me…

1.) I love roller coasters! This is most unusual because I don’t like heights. And I hate the slow climb some coaster do up the tall first hill. I absolutely can’t wait for it to be over. I don’t want to look at the scenery. I am waiting for the speed. Once that hits I am fine. For a few years before we had kids, my husband and I were members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts who host roller coaster riding events. The best one was in Cedar Point in Ohio and featured 15 roller coasters.

2.) During college, I was into rock climbing - again, not something for the person who doesn’t like heights. And I am not talking about in a gym but out in nature climbing the side of a mountain. I did fine as long as I didn’t look down. You really have to trust the person on belay (the person holding the rope in case you fall).

3.) I am a petite 5’ 2” woman and a black belt in Aikido. My husband particularly likes telling people I am a black belt as no one really expects that. He likes telling people I can kick their butt while wearing heels. *G* Actually we are both black belts. We signed up for Aikido as an activity we could do together.

4.) I worked two weeks at a dairy in Lubbock, Texas. It was a temp job while the receptionist was on vacation. I did get to tour the facility and see them putting milk into the cartons. I was responsible for handling all the ice-cream truck orders. It was an interesting experience.

5.) I chose my minor in college based on how easy I found the subject (Economics). I don’t know why but even when I forgot to study for a test, I still did well. I had people wanting to study with me for the exams because it came naturally to me. But I could never see myself as an economist - too boring.

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.”

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.

She loves to hear from readers: susannoble@satx.rr.com
Check out her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-Leigh-Noble/200225396700412
Follow her on Twitter: @SusanLeighNoble
Author website: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/susan-leigh-noble.html