Eric Madeen's bestselling work of literary fiction, 'Water Drumming In The Soul: A Novel of Racy Love in the Heart of Africa,' will be available at no charge in e-book form from August 31 through September 2, 2026, at Amazon. This promotional period offers readers a chance to experience a transformative journey inspired by Madeen's own adventures in Africa.
The novel is set in steamy equatorial Africa, where Peace Corps volunteer David Fields is on a mission to build a medical dispensary in a village where spells are cast on enemies and fear of a witch doctor reigns. David seldom has his bearings, cultural or geographical, and must fight a cocktail of tropical maladies as well as social taboos as he throws himself into work. Until he meets Assam. Captivated by her water drumming, her playing the stream as a drum, David is drawn to her early on and becomes the hunter captured by the game. What follows is a rollicking game of love with a tension or excitement between them that never dissipates, until the haunting end.
Madeen's own Peace Corps service in Gabon, Africa, provided the vivid backdrop for this novel. Just after graduating from the University of Arizona, he helped build a primary school complex in an equatorial village ringed by rainforest. His journey turned unexpectedly personal when he went hunting for monkeys to fill the cooking pot, got lost for three days, and came home with more than a story. It was there that he fell in love, an experience that would later be transformed into fiction, giving the novel a vivid, lived-in reality.
Readers and reviewers have heaped praise on the book. One Amazon reviewer said, "Water Drumming in the Soul not only tells a passionate love story, but it also delves into thought-provoking themes like culture, identity, and the power of human connection. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that'll have you laughing, crying, and everything in between. This isn't your typical love story! This novel is so well-written and full of unexpected twists you'll keep flipping those pages. Plus, the characters are well-developed -- rounded in their complexities -- that you'll feel like you've known them forever. So, if you're ready for a wild and adventurous ride, grab a copy of this modern-day classic ASAP!"
Zaheer Baber, Professor of Sociology at University of Toronto, said, "Madeen's storytelling prowess shines through and resonates with authenticity. The characters, particularly Assam, are beautifully developed, challenging traditional stereotypes as in presenting a more nuanced and genuine portrayal of African culture." Elizabeth Montano, author of The Eternal Dawn Trilogy, called it "a novel so beautifully and realistically written I found it on par with works by whom we consider masters … Hemingway definitely comes to mind."
Eric Madeen writes cross-genre and is the author of several other books, including 'Tokyo-ing!', 'Asian Trail Mix: True Tales From Borneo to Japan', and 'Tennis Clubbed, Snubbed and Rubbity-Dub Dubbed'. His writing has been published widely in Time, Asia Week, Daily Yomiuri, Tokyo Journal, Kyoto Journal, and many other outlets. He is a recently retired associate professor of modern literature at Tokyo City University and an adjunct professor at Keio University.
The free e-book promotion for 'Water Drumming In The Soul' runs from August 31 through September 2, 2026, at Amazon. This limited-time offer provides an accessible entry point for readers interested in a story that combines cultural exploration, romance, and personal transformation.
