In this dramatic coming-of-age novel we meet Fiona, an art student at a New Jersey college who is brilliant, beautiful, and struggling to find herself. Through her eyes we relive the turbulent culture of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll, the first draft lottery since World War II, the Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam, the Kent State University shootings, and the harsh realities of war for Americans in their early twenties.
Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from What A Trip by Susen Edwards, which is out November 15th 2022.
Fiona’s best friend, Melissa, is in a dead-end relationship, pregnant, and going nowhere fast. After Melissa’s abortion, Fiona and Melissa spend a week in Florida, where they are introduced to tarot cards and the anti-war movement. Following this experience, Melissa becomes obsessed with the occult; Fiona, though intrigued, approaches the tarot cautiously, with the voice of her conservative Christian mother screaming in her head.
After Fiona’s return from Florida, she begins dating Reuben–a journalism major and political activist. Reuben decides to move to Canada to avoid the draft and encourages Fiona to accompany him. But is that really what she wants? Caught between her feelings for Reuben and her own aspirations, Fiona struggles to define herself, her artistic career, and her future.
Reuben moved away, as though sensing her thoughts. “I’ve fantasized about having you in my room since the first day we met. Are you okay with this?”
She was more than okay.
Reuben kissed her again. “I’m glad.” Reaching to the side of his bed, he said, “I almost forgot. I brought a bottle of wine from home. It’s French. A Bordeaux.”
Fiona was impressed. “I’d love a glass.”
“No glasses, but I promise it’ll taste just as good from the bottle,” Reuben said, passing the bottle to her.
The wine left an earthy sweetness in her mouth as a warm sensation spread through her chest.
“Kisses always taste sweeter with wine.” Reuben set the bottle on the nightstand, drawing Fiona closer. Their breath quickened as their bodies moved in rhythm. I am so ready for this, Fiona thought as Reuben released her and reached for the wine.
“Let’s make it last,” Reuben said, passing the bottle to her.
After a few sips of wine, he kicked off his boots. She sat on the side of the bed, unlacing her boots. Reuben lifted her hair and ran his tongue down the back of her neck. She turned to face him.
“Let me help you with that dress,” he said, sliding it up past her hips and over her breasts. She lifted her arms as he pulled it from her body, revealing her pink lace bra and matching bikini panties. A white lace garter belt held her fishnet stockings.
Reuben moaned. “(Fiona), you look more beautiful like this. Why do you even bother wearing clothes? Take off your stockings; then I want you to undress me.”
She hesitated for a moment until Reuben guided her hand to his shirt. One by one, she undid his buttons, sliding her hand inside his shirt, fondling the chest she’d sketched only a few weeks before.
“Now, take my pants off. Do it real slow.”
She loosened his belt and tossed it on the floor. As she unsnapped his pants, his pelvis arched slightly. She lowered the zipper and slid his pants to his ankles, briefly noticing the small round burn just below his right kneecap. He kicked his pants to the floor.
He coaxed her onto her back, raised her arms over her head, and wrapped her hands around the posts of the brass headboard. “Hold on and don’t let go until I say so,” Reuben whispered as he leaned over her.
Fiona arched her back. She wanted him to fuck her right then and there.
“You smell wonderful,” he said as his fingertips slid from her neck, across her bra, to the top of her panties. He ran his middle finger around her navel.
He glided his body along hers until their lips met. They kissed. She let go of the headboard to put her arms around him.
“Don’t let go, Fiona, no matter what happens,” Reuben said firmly.
His tongue and fingers made their way from her throat across the top of her breasts and down to her panties. This time he slid her panties from her body and slipped his hand between her legs.
Fiona squirmed with anticipation. Her breath quickened. “I want you so much.”
“Not just yet,” he replied as he moved back up her body. This time he straddled her, rubbing against her, kissing her face, her neck, her ears. He pulled away, kneeled in front of her, and removed his briefs.
She started to reach for him, then remembered the rules.
“Good girl. No touching. Now take me in your mouth, but no hands.” Reuben moved closer to the headboard, allowing Fiona to follow his instruction. She ran her tongue around him and felt him grow harder. He pulled away. “Not yet.”
He passed the wine to her. Without the use of her hands, some spilled on her chest. Reuben was quick to lick the drops before they stained her bra. This time, as he moved down her body, he let his mouth fall between her legs.
Fiona arched her hips to meet him. Without thinking, she released her arms from the headboard. Reuben stopped what he was doing and lifted his head in warning.
“Don’t stop,” she moaned, moving her arms back to their assigned position.
When she thought she could take no more, he slid his body forward and entered her. He held her wrists firmly with his left hand, while his right held her hips. They moved in sync, consumed in their moment of infinity until their passion exploded and he collapsed on top of her.
Their breath came in diminishing gasps that filled the silence of the room. Slowly, Fiona returned to the outer world—a light rain falling on the trees, a car passing on the wet street, a soft breeze stroking the evergreen trees, and Reuben’s damp, angular body draped over hers. She wanted to open her eyes but knew when she did, the magical aura they had created would disappear.
