Weekend Writing Warriors: Tourist Trap

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.

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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.

Science Fiction Romance Brigade: Both Sides Now

The Science Fiction Romance Bragade Presents is a blog hop with up to 200 word snippets of science fiction/romance we have written, published or unpublished. Click on the logo to find links to other authors. The excerpt below is from a work in progress tentatively titled Both Sides Now. Roi and Dr Alsyn, the veterinarian who is the closest thing to a doctor available to the nomads, are talking just after Roi has told Dr. Alsyn he knows several modes of pain control.

“You know about those?” Doc asked sharply.

“Doctor Alsyn, I’m a Healer. I can’t use that right now, but Marna made sure I knew every healing method in the Confederation, as well as what she could teach me of the Riyan methods. I’ve spent an aggregate of several years at the reestablished Jibeth school on Riya. Some of the others are quackery, but a lot have something useful, and I do know them. From what I can feel, I’d go with drugs on that kid, but if you don’t have any sleepSinging would probably help. Only I can’t find her in this maze.”

“SleepSinging?” The term was obviously unfamiliar to Doc.

“It’s a form of hypnosis used by the Jibeth healers. I can guarantee it won’t hurt her, and it might help.”

Doctor Alsyn hesitated, and then turned down an alley between two rows of piled hay bales. “I need to set her arm, and she’s terrified of me. Of all men. Confederation troops caught her and her mother. They took the mother—at least the nomads didn’t find her body. Raped and abandoned the little girl. This way.” His anger was palpable to Roi, but it was no less than his own. Confederation troops, responsible for this kind of outrage?

Jarn’s Journal Year 10 Day 29

Year 10 Day 29

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Am I letting the People depend too much on me?

Salt is a necessity; not having to gather it themselves is a luxury, but I don’t give them so much they cannot find it for themselves. The same is true for obsidian and fine chert. Perfumes and sweets are greeted with delight by all ages, but they are recognized as special. Aside from the occasional fermentation of some fruit, they certainly do not become habituated to these treats.

Perhaps I could bring them something special that would have no shadow of possibility that they could consider it a normal part of life? But what? The furred skins are of interest to few in this hot climate, even for decoration. The shamans would no doubt appreciate the results of the tanning methods Songbird has managed to copy from the northern hunters, and I plan to encourage her to share this now knowledge with other women, but I doubt that many would willingly wear the hot, heavy cloaks that result from tanning a leopard or lion skin with the hair on.

Then it occurred to me. Ice! Songbird is unique in having seen snow. How would the children of the People react if I managed to teleport one of the large, tabular pieces of drift ice into a local depression that drained to the lake? The runoff would be quite pure, and if I chose an area with a gravel drainage channel, it would supply drinking water as well as a new experience for the children.

And I think I know just where to put it.

Jarn is a human-like alien who was stranded in Africa roughly 125,000 years ago. He has been exploring the north polar regions, but it is time for the nomadic people to return to the lake for their annual gather. His journal to date is on my author site.

Quotations from Jane Austen

These are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling over the last week. All of the quotes except the last are from Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen. This book is 200 years old this month.

“The mind which does not struggle against itself under one circumstance, would find objects to distract it in the other.” Fanny to Miss Crawford, in the chapel at Sotherton.

“The gardeners are the only people who can go where they like.” Miss Crawford, when they discover the gate to the wilderness is locked.

“Go into the law! With as much ease as I was told to go into this wilderness.” Edmund to Miss Crawford, when she tries to talk him into becoming a lawyer rather than a clergyman.

“A watch is always too fast or too slow.” Miss Crawford to Edmond, when her perception of time passed disagrees with his watch’s measurement.

“I cannot be dictated to by a watch.” Miss Crawford to Edmond, same scene.

“Resting fatigues me.” Miss Crawford, who is very bored at being stuck behind the gate.

”It’s not that I mind doing the cooking, it’s just that I have to eat it.” Sue Ann Bowling, Tourist Trap. Roi, faced with preparing supper for the group. (They aren’t very happy about eating his cooking, either.)

Mansfield Park and Mummies, by Jane Austen and Vera Nazarian (Review)

As a general rule I’m not a fan of Jane Austen + paranormal, but this book is an exception. In fact, I may get more of the author’s pastiches, as the reviews on Amazon suggest she had not quite hit her stride on this one.

I rarely laugh out loud at books. But I read this one with a broad grin on my face, and at times found that the muscles at the corners of my mouth felt tired when I took a break. Pastiche? Yes, and a large part is actually taken directly from Mansfield Park, and Jane Austen is given as a co-author. It is also a parody of the whole paranormal genre.

To start with, Lady Bertram is somewhat less than rational were Egypt is concerned. Mansfield Park is overrun with Egyptian artifacts, including mummies, some of which are alive (after a fashion.) Familiar characters show up as werewolves (with a tendency to howl or bark at inappropriate times) and vampires. Other familiar characters have odd peculiarities and interests. (I still haven’t figured out just what the Brighton Duck is.) Poor Fanny is given a Pharaoh’s mummy as a third would-be lover, though a relatively polite one. Edmond is somewhat obsessed with exorcisms.

I happen to like the original Mansfield Park, and as a tribute to its 200^th birthday, I am trying to review one connected novel or DVD each month. This one was better than I expected from the title, but it’s not Jane Austen.

North Pole Weather 5/12/14

Today the sun will rise at 4:48 am, and it will set 18 hours 21 minutes later at 10:59 this evening. It was warm enough last night that I left the hardening plants out, and I’ll probably get the mints planted this week. Civil twilight doesn’t start until after midnight, and lasts less than 3 hours.

The birch trees are green but unfortunately they are also shedding pollen at a great rate. Birch pollen is high and total tree pollen (including alder, willow and poplar) is very high. I just hope I don’t sneeze during my radiation therapy tomorrow. Certainly I started dripping and sneezing Saturday, and I’m pretty sure it is allergy rather than a cold. Fire danger is still high, though having the trees leafed out should help.

Weekend Writing Warriors: Tourist Trap

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.

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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.

Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents: Both Sides Now

The Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents is a blog hop with up to 200 word snippets of science fiction/Romance we have written, published or unpublished. The Excerpt below is from a work in progress, tentatively titled Both Sides Now. This is from the point of view of Roi, who is calling himself Kevi, just after he has recovered consciousness in a maze of hay bales, aware through his empathic sense that someone near him is in pain..

He knew the direction—the pain pulled at him. But he had no idea of the route.

Another, much brighter light bobbed toward him from the left. “What are you doing out of bed?” Doctor Alsyn, Roi identified the man who’d come up beside him. The vet apparently knew were he was going.

“Do you have a pain killer?” Roi replied. “Not for me,” he added hastily. “But someone in this hay maze needs it. I was trying to find her.”

Doc seemed to sag. “No,” he said. “No pain killers, no anesthetics, no antibiotics. A little tape and gauze, but mostly we’re boiling rags. And the pain—how did you know about that?”

“I’m an empath,” Roi replied. “I feel emotions and sensory impressions. Zhaim did a very effective job of blocking most of my abilities—I can’t read minds, or teleport, or do most of the other things you’ve probably heard R’il’noids can do. But I can’t not hear emotions without deliberate effort, and ignoring pain is like not hearing someone screaming. It’s like keeping my fingers in my ears. How about herbals like willow bark? I’m sure I remember seeing willows in that valley. Or hypnosis, or ….”

Jarn’s Journal Year 10 Day 27

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Year 10 Day 27

I checked the major routes in to the lake early this morning, and sure enough there were several family groups converging on the gather site. Definitely time to prepare, I thought, so I teleported to the land east of the linear sea for the sweet-smelling gum, to the tideless sea for the shellfish that produce the purple dye for adornment, and to the great river for the sweet dates.

I still needed salt, so this afternoon I teleported to the salt lake and gathered salt pebbles, lake water to evaporate, and a few salt boulders. There was still daylight, so I explored the valley to the north of the lake.

They will want me adorned; I know that from experience. I’ll have to ask Rainbow for help, but I want something, like last year, that is not fiendishly hot. I think I found it in the valley. There are flowers enough near the lake, but none quite like some that I am finding east of the tideless sea.

Would they stay fresh, if I put the cut stems in water? I can try.

Jarn’s Journal is part of the back story of my science fiction novels. Jarn is a human-like alien whowas stranded in Africa 125,000 years ago. He has met and been accepted as a god (much to his annoyance) by our remote ancestors, the People. In the year since the last gather, he has explored areas of Europe and found Neanderthal cultures there, as well as finding floating ice forming a polar ice cap and an Icelandic volcano. His story to date is on my author site.

A to Z Reflection

This was my second A to Z challenge, and my first time as a minion (one of Stormy’s Helpers.) It’s also been an April with a lot more to do than I expected, with the result that I didn’t get as much out of it as I hoped, because I wasn’t able to put as much in as I’d planned.

When I signed up I knew I’d be taking adult classes (see O post) in April, and I planned for that. I also planned to pre-schedule my posts, I decided on my theme and a number of letters before I signed up, and I had several of the posts written and scheduled before mid-March.

I had breast cancer several years ago, and as part of the follow-up to that I get regular mammograms. Last summer, shortly before the first writing conference I’d scheduled, I was diagnosed (early, thank goodness) with ovarian cancer. I wrote a number of the 2013 Blogathon posts from my hospital bed, but the surgery went well, with good pathology results. I missed the conference (was in the hospital) and chemo pretty well destroyed my usual summer gardening. But by March my hair was growing back and I was feeling chipper again.

Then shortly after volunteering as a minion I had my regular mammogram: another breast cancer, this one on the other side. I had surgery before the Challenge started, again with excellent pathology (1a) and clean edges. I’m currently (since mid-April) getting radiation five days a week, and I’ll be on weekly Herceptin for the next year.

I am not particularly worried about any of the three cancers. They’re apparently unconnected, and I am not positive for either of the known BRCA mutations. But I am very annoyed at effectively losing a good part of another summer, and sorry also that I could not visit as many blogs as I had hoped. I did find some new blogs to follow, and picked up a few new followers myself.

I apologize for missing so many of you. I’ll continue checking out blogs following mine on the list during the A to Z Road Trip.