It’s Sunday again, and time for Weekend Writing Warriors (click on the logo above) and Snippet Sunday (click on the logo below.)
Today I have another bit from Tourist Trap. Roi has finally managed to get his glider on the ground, and has time to think as he waits for the others to join him.
There were still patches of snow, too small to have been seen from the cliff, hiding in the shade of the thicker tufts of dead grass, and he packed several handfuls around the hot end of the upright. Shutting off the air supply should help, too, he thought, and he replaced the cover on the power pack compartment. He must have dropped the power pack.
He couldn’t think of anyone except possibly Zhaim who might have wanted him dead. And whoever had sabotaged the glider would have touched it, left traces of his personality behind. Reading objects wasn’t one of his strongest talents, but Derry had told him often enough that his weakness in that aspect of esper work was simple lack of application. “You don’t like eavesdropping,” his uncle had told him, “and there’s a lot of eavesdropping in reading an object’s history. But that doesn’t mean it’s a useless skill.”
Blurb for Tourist Trap: 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.
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Lovely tension and scene setting in this. Definitely worried for Roi. Very nicely done.
He’s on the ground but it isn’t over yet.
Like this excerpt too, as I knew I would. I bet Roi gives reading a try – he came pretty close to getting smashed to bits or burned up, so that seems like a powerful reason to try it.
At least he recognizes it’s sabotage. Can’t get to yours to comment.
Suspense is unlimited in the way you’ve written your story. Fascinating observation about eavesdropping.
Funny–I didn’t wet out to write suspense.
Interesting turn of events. I am curious to find out if Roi will be able to apply himself to reading the glider.
Oh, that’s not the problem.
Reading object sounds interesting. At first, when you mentioned the saboteur touching it, I was thinking of fingerprints, but this is way cooler!
Part of the esper-empathic suite of talents, and this one is helped by both.
I love the idea that he actually has more skills if he’d just force himself to use them. Can’t wait for more, always enjoy the details you provide. Great snippet!
He hasn’t learned to use everything he has. He’s not quite 18 here. (A couple of hundred in the SFR snippet, but “Kevi” is the same Roi.)
I never thought of it as eavesdropping. I love it!
In a way it is.
I like that he’s weighing up the possibilities and he’s going to have to apply a skill he’s been reluctant to use so far.
He’s pretty level-headed–up to a point.
Great snippet Sue Ann. You have every aspect of your world figured out so precise. I makes for a believable, enjoyable read.
It was growing in my head for many years before I wrote anything down.
I’m glad Roi seems to be realizing the danger he’s in!
He recognizes it, but he still thinks he can handle it himself.
Near! Looks like it’ about to get interesting when he puts that eavesdropping skill to work. I can’t think of anyone other than Zhaim, either. 🙂
Watch the next few weeks.
After such tension until his feet were “safely” on the ground, I am sure that Roi’s determination to read the object will give him some serious insight – Why do I get the feeling that his answer is going to be surprising??? Great snippet.
(Evil chuckle)
I can totally relate to not doing well something, simply because you don’t really want to do it. In this case, he needs to get over himself, I think. People are trying to kill him, here!
Check back next week.
Hey great post! I am cold averse myself, but Alaska seems like such a beautiful place, it’s nice to hear of it first hand. I hope you are enjoying the challenge of A-Z. Keep up the good stuff.
You’d probably like it best in May to June.
Funny how he thinks of the one person who would want to kill him right off the bat. And, he recognizes this is an attempt on his life. Roi’s smart!
He’s had past experience with Zhaim.
Love the ‘eavesdropping’ by touching the object. Great way to describe the ability 🙂
Bet he’s not going to like what he finds.