It’s Sunday again, and time for Weekend Writing Warriors (click the logo above) and Snippet Sunday (click the logo below.)
This is still from Tourist Trap. Roi is back on the ground and has the fire pretty well under control. He has decided that though he doesn’t like using his object-reading abilities, he’s going to have to determine who sabotaged his glider
In this case, Roi decided, it might be a very useful skill indeed.
The cooling from the snow he had continued to pile on the upright, together with the reduction of the air supply, had pretty well stopped the fire. Closing his eyes and opening his mind to any lingering impressions, Roi reached out to put his hands on the control triangle. Himself, of course. Traces of Flame, who had helped him set up and inspect the glider just before the flight, and of Penny, who’d helped the day before. Neither, however, had touched the control triangle except at the top, where both had checked its attachment to the wing. The only fresh trace beside his own anywhere near the electronics was — Timi? From yesterday, when he’d held the compartment door open? But this felt more recent …
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 
I think he almost wishes he didn’t have the skill to feel those who had touched the sabotaged glider – although he needs to find out who has it in for him, he is also bound to be disappointed with his discovery. Not an easy place to be for sure. I like the way you follow his methodical thought process, good snippet.
I try to write a multi POV where I go inside one character’s head at a time. This whole hang gliding episode is Roi’s POV, but ohers come in at different points of the story.
ooo now what now what?? You have a knack for posting a super intriguing excerpt then just leaving us, well, hanging without a glider!
Wait til you see the trilogy! (btw, these excerpts are eight sentences as they fall from a page or two of the book.)
P.S. I tried to comment on yours, but your captcha stopped me, and I will NOT make a second try at those things.
Sue Ann, you’ve done it again. Boggled my mind with your imagination. Fascinating scene in outer space.
Not exactly outer space. Think of a planet whose economy is based in interstellar tourism.
Nice eight, you have me concentrating right along with him…seeing if I can deduce who’s been at his hang glider.
I try to write from inside my characters’ minds.
No easy answers… Poor Roi — it’s not going to be as simple as he had hoped. Maybe his friends will have better luck with it?
Not simple at all.
I enjoy his detective work, his mind gliding on to the next person and thinking it all through…excellent excerpt as always.
I try to follow the mind of the person I’m writing about.
I agree with Chelle, whatever he finds will probably be hurtful. Great description of his process.
He’s going to have to make a decision in about 4 more excerpts.
He’s definitely not accepting the incident as an “accident” without checking things out. Smart.
Oh, he’s smart, but he’s also a teenager.
I’m glad he’s getting some answers; too bad they don’t seem to be the ones he wants.
Answers are difficult that way.
You know, when I read this, I’d completely forgotten he could do psychic tracing—I knew he had powers, but I always see his brains and ‘normal’ skills as his primary weapons. I LIKE that in a character with his talents.
His slave upbringing taught him to hide his talents.
Whaaaaaat! Timi??? Oh my, what a twist you’ve added here, Sue Ann. Wow. My curiosity is piqued!
You didn’t think it would be straightforward, did you?
Fascinating scene! I’m wanting more.
Next week.
Oh, no! It hadn’t even occurred to me that one of his friends might not be so friendly. I like all the details–you can really picture what he’s doing.
It’s not that simple, and sets up some of the tensions in Horse Power.
Ooo, the plot thickens! Great description and intrigue.
I had a little foreshadowing of this turn, but of course you didn’t get it in the snippets. (my keyboard is suddenly not giving me the 4th letter of the alphabet.)