Bluff
by Julie Dill
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication date: Feb. 7 2017
Genre: Young Adult
Seventeen-year-old Chelsea Knowles is surrounded by the privileged. Michael Kors gym bags and designer shoes are part of her daily scene, but the talented cheerleader has a secret: she and her dad can barely pay the bills. Broken by his wife walking out on their family, Chelsea’s father ignores his responsibilities. Between cheer costs, grocery bills, electricity, and other regular financial burdens, it’s no surprise when a cut-off notice arrives in the mail. Chelsea knows it’ll be up to her to keep the lights on.
With the deck stacked against her, Chelsea decides to bet their future on the dubious poker knowledge she learned from her father before he gave up on parenting. Nervous but determined, Chelsea heads to a casino with very little security and wins big. Thrilled by her win, she’s quickly drawn to the casino again and again. She risks it all, especially when the attractive, young pit boss takes an interest in her.
Chelsea’s life, no longer filled with cheerleading, school, and hanging out with her friends, is now consumed by smoky casino floors and the ups and downs of a gambler’s life. True gamblers know when to fold, but Chelsea keeps betting long after her needs are met. The complicated web of lies soon begins to spin out of control, threatening to expose everything. Will someone see through her bluff?
Excerpt…
Chips and cards fly around, then the dealer tidies up the pot and pounds the table twice with his fist.
He turns three community cards up, and I swear I’m seeing things. Two. Queen. Four.
My shaky hands are suddenly convulsing, and I wonder how I’m even going to handle picking up my chips.
No one bets for a while . . . until Asian guy. He makes a statement when he throws in the limit—a red and a white, six bucks, and they scatter across the table. Either he’s very, very confident or he’s really, really bluffing.
I can’t catch my breath. It’s my turn. Wishing I had some red chips to make this easier, I start to count out twelve white ones. I’m embarrassed—no, humiliated, because my hands are jolting at a ridiculous level at this point. I finally complete my task and scoot them across the line.
“I call and raise six dollars.” My words are weak and shaky. I need to win this pot, I really, really need it, but just continued breathing will suffice at the moment.
Everyone at the table folds, but Asian guy gives it one last go. He does the same: call and raise. Luckily, this time I don’t have to speak. I toss in my twelve bucks.
The dealer turns over the next community card. Two. My eyes widen.
That gives me a full house. Full house equals. . . Ohmygosh! I’M GOING TO WIN THIS THING.
Meet the author…
Julie Dill lives in Oklahoma City where the wind always comes sweeping down the plains—literally.
As a young girl she always wanted to be a teacher, so she went on to receive her Bachelor’s of Science in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and taught in elementary schools for ten years. Currently, she serves as an adjunct professor and loves helping students achieve success. One of her greatest professional accomplishments is earning her National Board Certification.
She holds a Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Oklahoma City University and continues to work on various writing projects. From hiking in Colorado, to playing poker in Vegas, she’s always up for a new challenge. Julie is a busy mom of two teenage daughters, and any extra time that she may carve out is spent reading, writing, and rooting for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Giveaway time!
Thanks for hosting today, Kristin! 🙂
Love the cover. Intrigued by the blurb and excerpt. Seems like such an interesting story. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks for sharing for this!
This sounds like one I’d enjoy! Can’t say I’ve read one quite like this before.
Thanks for sharing an excerpt. My oldest is named Chelsea 🙂
This sounds like a pretty interesting read. Btw, I’m loving the cover.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a modern day one surrounding betting. Most I find are historicals.