Soup: Answers Come Hard in the Face of the Unknown

We live in a country where freedom of speech, freedom of thought and the right to security are regarded as a valuable heritage that must be passed on to the next generations. The emergence of social media and our global communications environment remind us more than ever of the importance of being vigilant and aware of our surroundings. The virtual removal of geographical boundaries has facilitated the spread of radicalization to violence. Some people are influenced by the propaganda in the social media. This issue, just like that of lone actors and extremists within our boundaries, is of great concern to all law enforcement agencies across the country.  (RCMP; Terrorism and Violent Extremism Awareness Guide – June 2016)

Travis Haugen’s SOUP takes his experiences from forty years of life on the road as a touring musician and wraps those experiences around a fictional family in search of itself.  The story unfolds as they fight to overcome the death of their musician father at the hands of a right-wing militant group called the American Freedom Force, AFF for short. Only through the legacy of their late father’s music do the son, the daughter, and the grieving wife come to understand who they are and what they must do to survive the world of the near future.

Travis Haugen’s SOUP, produced by FriesenPress is available for order from most major online book retailers, including FriesenPress Bookstore, Chapters and Amazon.  The eBook is available for Amazon Kindle, iTunes Bookstore, Chapters/Indigo Kobo, Barnes and Noble’s Nook, and GooglePlay.

Featured Official Review: Soup by Travis Haugen  4 out of 4 stars

Post by Cecilia_L » [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of “Soup” by Travis Haugen.]

Soup: The Future is Past and Present by Travis Haugen is “an interactive musical thriller.” Musician Scott Yonge is thrust into the spotlight after receiving the 2001 Garrett Award. After his whirlwind romance with actress Michelle Zoe, the couple’s idyllic life is derailed when Scott is targeted by Colonel Randall, the leader of an extremist militant group, The American Freedom Force. Forced to choose between the life of his son and his own, Scott makes the ultimate sacrifice for his family.

There is a lot to like about this book. First, is the cast of well-developed characters centered around the Yonge and Zoe families. I appreciate the inclusion of strong female characters portrayed by Michelle Zoe Yonge and her daughter, Soup. Scott Yonge and his son, Hedley, are musicians characterized by depth not typically associated with the rockstar persona. As the first in a series, the book includes detailed generational history and establishes sufficient background for future sequels.

the plot almost works backward; the reader is presented with conclusive information, and it takes time for the backstory to be pieced together. The first several chapters introduce a lot of information, and in the beginning, I found the influx of events from different dates a bit confusing. However, as the story continues to unfold, more of the pieces fit together. The fluctuating timeline bears noting, but overall, it didn’t detract from my reading enjoyment. I’m pleased to rate this book 4 out of 4 stars and look forward to reading future books in the series. I recommend it to readers who enjoy complex thrillers. It will also appeal to music fans and those interested in near-future technological advances.

About the Author

Travis Haugen has spent forty years of his life touring on the road as a musician and has spent hundreds of hours in recording studios.  Travis is also a computer technician solving and writing programs.   Travis presently lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Travis spends much of his time writing songs, playing music and spending valuable time with his family and close group of friends.

About One Song Productions

Travis Haugen, along with his niece, Candy, has written a series of Interactive Musical Thrillers which combine an interesting plot of a musician’s family life during a period of political unrest. Travis and Candy have published SOUP, the first book of the series, which links 24 songs that can be played while reading the fictional story and are part of the story itself.

Travis has spent many years in bands touring North America and has merged his passion for music with his newfound love of story telling.