Hi guys! We have Kathryn Sparrow stopping by today with the tour for her new release Devil’s Bargain, we have a brilliant guest post from Kathryn with an exclusive excerpt, and a fantastic a $25 Amazon GC giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Devil’s Bargain
Kathryn Sparrow
Seth Griffin is forced to live out his wildest dreams at the expense of his best friend, the man he loves.
Seth Griffin’s life was basically on track. Attend Cornell, double major in Mechanical Engineering and Astronomy, play basketball, and room with his best friend, Kevin. So what if he had a hopeless crush on his gorgeous, straight friend.
When Maynard Frederick Winthrop IV buys all of Seth’s family’s debt and threatens to foreclose, everything Seth has worked for is in jeopardy. Winthrop offers Seth a deal: spend a week at his mansion, a place that seems to defy logic and violate the laws of physics, performing challenges of Winthrop’s choosing. If Seth succeeds, all will be forgiven.
But can Seth do as Winthrop asks, especially when Kevin is the one who will pay the price?
Kathryn Sparrow!
Basketball – Writing about something I know nothing about
They say write about what you know, and I do. Devil’s Bargain has college students attending Cornell University, a school I attended mumble-mumble years ago. Seth is studying Engineering. My degree is in Computer Science from the College of Engineering at Cornell.
Seth informed me that he and Kevin play basketball. I was a tad surprised. My dad is a big fan, but I was more interested in sports like fencing.
The first draft I wrote of the basketball game scene was a mess. I’d never been to a game or even watched one on TV. One of my critique partners suggested I remedy that. I recorded a couple games on my TiVo and watched them to get a feel for the flow of the game and an idea of what the announcers said, what music was played. I wanted the game I portrayed to feel reasonable.
I also did some research on the history of basketball. I learned who some of the most famous players were historically as well as coaches and referees. That information was all quite useful as I described the scene in the book. Here’s an excerpt to give you a taste of why. I’ll warn you, by the time this scene occurs, things have started to get… quite strange in Winthrop’s mansion.
***
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, and Bill Russell. Six names that should be said with awe and reverence. Giants of the game. All standing before him, young and in their prime. Not old men. Not in the ground. Here. The last two names were unfamiliar. Perhaps others in a challenge for Winthrop. And Red Auerbach, back from the grave.
Not possible, not possible, not possible.
Seth’s room in high school had been decorated with pictures of these men, and they didn’t look like imposters.
Impossible!
“We lucked out today. They got David Tobey to referee.”
Seth had no idea who that was. He looked at Kevin, whose wide eyes looked ready to pop out of his head as he shrugged.
The coach spent the next few minutes talking to them, explaining the game plan. Seriously, a genuine, Red Auerbach game plan.
Excerpt!
“There’s one thing I don’t understand about you. You’re gay. You’re out. You live in a liberal state, but you rarely hook up, no boyfriends, nothing. What gives?”
What? Why did Winthrop know he was gay or care?
“Excuse me. I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
Winthrop’s brows climbed. “Believe me. It’s my business. Everyone has needs, but you live like a monk.”
“I’m a double major across two colleges and a varsity athlete. I don’t have time for a boyfriend, and I’m done with hookups.”
Winthrop shook his head, a frown marring his face. “That’s crazy. There are even a couple guys on your team who have offered to blow you, bottom, top, whatever, but you keep refusing. Even on those away games, alone, in a hotel.”
“Look. Enough of this.” Seth slammed his hand down on the table. “I came here. I sat through this meal. It’s done. You clearly have my family and me over a barrel. Isn’t it time to tell me what this is all about?”
“As you wish.”
About Kathryn!
Kathryn Sparrow has had stories spinning around in her head her whole life and finally decided it was time to write them down. For twenty years, she worked in the Software Industry as a Software Quality Engineer, so she gets a particular thrill including geeks in her stories. Now, she is a stay-home mom although she thinks that’s a terrible name for the job since she spends so much time driving her kids to their various activities. She lives in Massachusetts with her geek husband and adorable, infuriating daughters, who are too smart for their Mommy’s own good. If she had spare time she would spend it knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, and doing any other handicrafts that caught her fancy.
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Giveaway!
One lucky winner will receive a $25 Amazon giftcard!
