Welcome to another Sunday excerpt for Weekend Writing Warriors (click the logo above) and Snippet Sunday (click the logo below.) Roi is waiting for Timi to land after discovering that Timi was the only person who had handled the sabotaged glider after Roi himself had test-flown it.
The amber glider was low and almost behind him now, banking into its final upwind landing leg. Roi forced himself to open fully to Timi’s emotions as the other boy flared and dropped to the ground a wing length away, yanking the emergency release on his support sling and starting toward Roi at a run almost before his feet were firmly planted. Love, concern, some anger, but directed at what he perceived as Roi’s reckless flying. No trace of guilt, or even of suspicion that the glider might have been tampered with.
“What the hell did you think you were doing,” Timi gasped as he dropped to his knees at Roi’s side. “No, don’t try to get up, dammit. Have you eaten anything? Can you keep anything down, after that?”
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, or Amazon, in dust jacket, trade paper, and e-book formats.
Buy Homecoming from iUniverse
'Homecoming' Blog 
Intriguing, Sue Ann! Isn’t it funny how we tend to think the worst of people and judge before all the facts are in? BTW, I followed you over to WeWriWa! 😉
Roi’s actually being extremely reluctant to judge Timi.
The tension rises now that Timi’s arrived! This is definitely a “what next?” moment. Everybody reading is on the edge of their seats, you know.
I didn’t sign up this week, I’m just visiting 🙂
And I’m going to leave you there, after a couple more snippets.
I’m glad it wasn’t Timi who messed with the controls…knowingly…
But who did?
I love the concern and the mix of emotions — very realistic.
There’s always been a bit of prickliness between the two, based on Roi’s being technically Timi’s owner.
Sue, as always I’m in awe of how much information you’re able to work into a handful of sentences. Great snippet!
Maybe I ought to put in one of my horse snippets.
Well if Timi was the last one to touch Roi’s glider but he gets no bad vibes, then who? Excellent Sue Ann!
History Sleuth’s Milk Carton Murders
That’s going to stay a mystery for a while.
Fantastic world-building, well-rounded character development, and a terrific mystery.
You’ve definitely hit the trifecta with this one (again), Sue Ann!
Not so much a mystery as a when are they going to figure it out?
Really good snippet, Sue Ann. Is Roi able to open up to other’s feelings? Or just Timi’s?
He’s an empath, able to share anyone’s feelings and sensations.
Emotional and Timi sounds innocent, but we still don’t know who messed with the glider.
Right.
Interesting that the one person the evidence points to seems to be convincingly off the hook. Useful skill to have!
Keep tuned.
Hmm, so he’s either very good at lying, even with his emotions–a good skill for an assassin–or Timi is innocent. Nice tension!
What Roi picked up was that Timi was the last person to handle the area where the sabotage must have happened.
Timi appears innocent and yet Roi knows he was the last one to handle the equipment – Could someone have controlled Timi even without his knowing? This mystery gets more intriguing each time.
(smug grin.)
Wow! I am so glad that Timi isn’t behind it, but now what? Is there something wrong with Roi that he sensed malicious behavior on Timi’s part–that never happened?? Great snippet, Sue Ann. Good job keeping the reader guessing. 🙂
There was a clue earlier, but of course it isn’t in the snippets.
We do tend to judge, don’t we? What is Roi sensing about Timi? There is a story there…
Right, but it starts earlier in Tourist Trap. And Roi is very reluctant to believe Timi is responsible.
The plot thickens! Great snippet.
Thanks.
I like the way you keep us guessing! Your writing is so smooth, I’m just carried along and then the snippet ends and I want more. Great excerpt!
I’m going to have to find another scene soon.