Eric Madeen’s bestselling 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 format from August 31 through September 2, 2026, at Amazon. The novel, inspired by Madeen’s own experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Gabon, offers readers a vivid and passionate story set in equatorial Africa.
The narrative follows Peace Corps volunteer David Fields, who is tasked with building a medical dispensary in a village where witchcraft and fear are prevalent. Struggling with cultural disorientation and tropical diseases, David’s mission becomes even more complicated when he meets Assam, a woman whose water drumming captivates him. Their relationship evolves into a fiery and complex love story, marked by tension and excitement that persists until the haunting conclusion.
Madeen’s background as a Peace Corps volunteer in Gabon lends authenticity to the novel. Just after graduating from the University of Arizona, he helped build a primary school complex in a rainforest-ringed village. His time there, including a harrowing experience of getting lost for three days while hunting, deeply influenced his writing. The novel has been praised for its realistic portrayal of African culture and its thought-provoking themes.
One Amazon reviewer described the book as “a rollercoaster of emotions that’ll have you laughing, crying, and everything in between,” noting its well-developed characters and unexpected twists. Zaheer Baber, Professor of Sociology at University of Toronto, praised Madeen’s storytelling, saying, “The characters, particularly Assam, are beautifully developed, challenging traditional stereotypes.” Elizabeth Montano, author of The Eternal Dawn Trilogy, compared Madeen’s writing to that of Ernest Hemingway.
Madeen, a recently retired associate professor of modern literature, has authored several other books, including ‘Tokyo-ing!’, ‘Asian Trail Mix,’ and ‘Tennis Clubbed, Snubbed and Rubbity-Dub Dubbed.’ His writing has appeared in publications such as Time, Asia Week, and the Daily Yomiuri. His novel ‘Water Drumming in the Soul’ is part of the Permanent Collection of Books by Peace Corps Writers in the Library of Congress.
The free promotion offers readers an opportunity to experience this acclaimed novel without cost. For more details, visit Madeen’s author page at Amazon or his website at ericmadeen.org.
