Sunday again, and time for Weekend Writing Warriors (click the logo above) and Snippet Sunday (click the logo below.) I’m still posting from Tourist Trap, my second published book, and Roi as just told his father that if he doesn’t make the Company quite riding herd on him, he’ll make sure they can’t. The conversation is mental, hence the italics.
I mean it, Father. This trip may not seem like much to you, but it’s important to me. He wasn’t even sure why it had become so important, except that he’d never in his life had the opportunity to do something he wanted on his own.
A long moment of silence, as his shadow shrank on the ground below. If I ask the Company not to shadow you, will you promise to contact me or Kyrie the way you did just now if anything happens that you need help? We can’t afford to lose you, son.
There was a sense of surprise from the craft shadowing his, and it suddenly accelerated and turned away. Thanks, he thought as he broke the connection.
A vacation with his three best friends from slavery and a manhood challenge: Roi is given the graduation present he has dreamed of. Dogsledding, hang gliding, a chance to see Pleistocene animals transplanted to a Terraformed vacation world, horseback riding, sailing … all the sports he has returned to with his recovery from paralysis, and a few new ones to learn.
They’re prepared for danger from weather, wild animals and extreme sports. But none of them realize that Roi’s half brother Zhaim, determined to recover his old position as Lai’s heir, intends to kill them if he can—and he’s decided that the dangers of the trip will make a perfect cover for his schemes.
How long will it take them to realize that the “accidents” they keep running into are more than just accidents?
Tourist Trap, the second novel of the Jarnian Confederation, won first place in science fiction and fiction book of the year in the 2011 Reader Views contest.
Reviewers say:
“Fans of Sue Ann Bowling’s novel Homecoming will not be disappointed with its sequel. Tourist Trap returns the reader to the world of the Jarnian Confederation—to Roi, Lai, Marna, and all of their friends and relations. The author does a stellar job of bringing these characters to life, allowing the reader to not only see their actions but to understand the culture and politics that motivate them. (ForeWord Clarion review)
“Tourist Trap” is a great read for anyone that wants motivation and feeling to accompany the action in their sci-fi adventure. Alien beings and super powers are an integral part of Roi’s story but what makes this novel really shine is the heart. Nobody is good or evil just because that’s their assigned role. Just like in real life, everyone has their own motivations and desires, and Bowling does a great job of letting the reader see what it would be like to walk in the shoes of Roi, Xazhar, and even madman Zhaim. (ReaderViews review)
Tourist Trap (iUniverse, 2011) is available from: Barnes and Noble, iUniverse, and Amazon in dust jacket, trade paper, and e-book formats.
Buy Homecoming from iUniverse
'Homecoming' Blog 
Nice job of showing the interaction between father and son.
They still don’t know each other very well.
I really like Roi’s determination to be independent. I don’t know if I could do so under the same circumstances—then again, you’d never find me on a handglider, so . . .
Hang glider.
Honestly, Sue Ann, I’m not a bad speller until I comment on your blog. sigh . . .
He thinks he has everything under control.
You’ve done a great job showing the connection between the pair, and also adding a very subtle layer of foreboding to this snippet. Excellent!
(I’m not wewriwaing this week, I just wanted to let you know how much I like this snippet)
Right. This scene isn’t over yet. (And it helps set up the tension between Roi and Timi in Horse Power.)
Thanks. The horses are due in a few weeks.
I do pick up on some tension between the two. I’m wondering about that “we can’t *afford* to lose you” comment. You do have 3 instances of “shadow” that are a little bump for me I wouldn’t stop reading because of it. It’s easy to get drawn right into this story.
Too late to change ow (it’s published) but the verb use of shadow could be changed. “Afford” requires more knowledge of the context than is obvious in this snippet.
Love the family conversation. Makes me want to weep as they sort out letting go issues while one is in space struggling for independence Beautiful eight.
Roi thinks he has everything under control. Teen-age arrogance?
I like that he’s basically polite but firm. Nice characterization. 🙂
He’s still a little afraid of his father, who he’s known for only a couple of years.
Wonderful interaction. Great snippet as usual.
Roi still has a lot of adrenaline flowing.
Interesting exchange between father and son. Very visual.
Sets up a lot later in the story.
The relationship between the father and son looks interesting.
doesn’t really come out until later.
I’m glad his father decided to take a chance, good move toward building trust. Another excellent excerpt!
It’s hard to trust someone who doesn’t trust you.
I’m glad that his father is extending this trust. It must be hard for him, too. Roi has been self-sufficient (emotionally) all of his life, but now his father steps in and the dynamics of Roi’s life have changed drastically, but there is no magic wand that can just make it so. It’s hard for him to step back and to trust implicitly. Good 8, Sue Ann. 🙂
Yes, it is. And Roi’s still a ways from trusting him, which doesn’t help things.
Good father son interaction. Very realistic. He needs to try his wings.
Even when the wings aren’t cooperating very well?
I like the interaction between father and son. It makes me curious about their relationship.
They’re still feeling each other out. It hasn’t been that long since they really met.
Can I just ditto all the comments above? 😉
Glad you like it.
I’m definitely intrigued.
More to come.
Such a realistic father-son moment. I’m getting a deeper understanding of their relationship and that seems like a good compromise. Intriguing snippet!
Not really much of a compromise.
oooh, really nice, I’m totally intrigued! I like your use of “shadowing” and mental talk, makes me want to know more …
Roi’s an empath and telepath, though he’s still learning to use both.
Hmm, I didn’t see Roi agreeing to contact his father… He’s definitely stubborn, but I can understand that–if it doesn’t end badly for him. And I hope he does reach out if he needs help!
He managed to reach his father only because he was so charged up with adrenaline. But Kyrie (introduced earlier in the book) is on planet.
I’m glad his dad gave him a little space…he might be more understanding than Roi knows.
He is. But Roi’s bacgkround does not encourage him to trust anyone.
Even father and son interactions are shadowed by The Company”. Two words that say so much while making me ask so many questions. Good hook in the snippet.
“The Company” in this case is the Falaron Company, in charge of tours on Falaron. And they’re shadowing the group on this rather dangerous part of the trek at the request of Roi’s father, who far outranks them.
Very interesting snippet. You’ve told so much about this world is so few words. Curious to know more about them.
I’ve been posting from this for some time now. The index on my blog has all of the snippets listed.
While there is obvious concern in the interaction between father & son, I also sense a wall between them, something guarded. Roi wants his independence and it seems to be a bit defiant. Good snippet.
Roi is still a ways from trusing his father. But that’s part of the plot.
I wonder why he didn’t promise before cutting down the connection.
It’s hard adjusting to a parent you never knew growing up. (I’m pretty sure it must be hard for the parent, too.) Nice job of showing both.
Yes, it’s not easy on either of them.
Great description and connection. Enjoyed your 8.
Glad you like it.