Welcome to another Sunday with Weekend Writing Warriors (click the logo above) and Snippet Sunday (click the logo below.) Roi has used his object-reading ability on the sabotaged glider, and found to his shock that Timi was the only person who had touched the compensation circuit since he himself test-flew it the day before. Penny is in the violet glider, and Timi in the amber one.
The wing hid his view of the sky, and he wiggled backward until he could see the violet glider soaring in wide circles almost over his head, and the amber one over his right shoulder, losing altitude in great side-slipping curves. He had no doubt of Penny’s motives in choosing Timi to land and assist him. Timi was the strongest of the party physically, and they were all well versed in first aid. And—dammit, no matter what his reading of the control bar told him, he simply did not believe that Timi would knowingly have sabotaged the glider. Besides, his friend was good at electronics, sure, but esperelectronics was something else entirely. Timi couldn’t have managed the screamer circuit. Not without someone guiding his every move.
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; 5 star)
“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:
iUniverse, Barnes and Noble, 0r Amazon in dust jacket, trade paper, and e-book formats.
Buy Homecoming from iUniverse
'Homecoming' Blog 
Well, that’s foreshadowing, if ever I read it. 😀
Yeah, but foreshadowing of what?
Deeper and deeper you’ve taken us into this mystery
I’m not sure I’d call it a mystery.
I ove the way Roi is always thinking with such crystal clarity. Another excellent excerpt!
That’s his R’il’nian side coming through.
Methinks that either Roi doesn’t know what Timi is really capable of, or there’s a *gasp* conspiracy! Roi’s a standout character. He does try to be logical but the fact that he refuses to believe Timi could be the guilty party shows he has heart.
You could call it a conspiracy.
However misguided.
So, the person the evidence points to is the one who’s coming to the rescue! Great way to up the tension.
At least Roi isn’t helpless.
The external and internal conflicts in Roi make for some fascinating snippets. Great eight!
Yes, he’s conflicted, all right
Seems like he might have a chance to ask Timi some questions…wonder how he’ll go about it.
Tune in next wee (or two.)
Great snippet showing Roi wrestling with what he’s learned, with some intriguing worldbuiliding. Sorry, I’m coming in late and this is my first snippet from this story…
Actually, it’s near the end of this scene.
I can see he doesn’t want to offend Timi but, hey, this is life and death hanging in the balance. He’s going to have to have a “talk”.
Something more than a talk.
He doesn’t want to believe his friend could hurt him–I can really feel that angst. But that last line…Seems to imply that there is a way the sabotage could be possible. Very suspicious!
Keep reading next week.
I have a hunch there’s more mischief afoot and it doesn’t bode well for Roi and his group. Great snippet.
Lots more to come.
Roi shouldn’t take anyone at face value, not in his situation. After all this, he’s still a trusting soul.
He still tends not to trust adults.
Roi is definitely giving this a lot of thought. I wonder if he isn’t trying to convince himself that his friend is innocent. Anxiously waiting to read more next week.
More to come.
Hmm… the plot thickens. I wonder if Zhaim was able to get into Timi’s head and persuade him to sabotage the glider? Hmm… Good 8, Sue Ann!
I didn’t post a snippet this week. I’m just visiting others and reading theirs. Have a good week. 🙂
Persuade isn’t quite the right word.
I like how he tries to reason through the details. Great 8.
He’s still faced with the GIGO problem. Reasoning from faulty data will give faulty results.
I am so in love with this story and the characters, I can’t even begin to tell you.
The characters are in all three of my published books, and Roi will still be around in the trilogy.