Blog Tour & Excerpt: ROLL THE DICE by Wayne Avrashow

Happy Saturday everyone! Today I'm delighted to be participating in the blog tour for what looks like a fierce political thriller. Read on to find out more about the book and enjoy an excerpt...

Roll the Dice - WayneAvrashow

Published: November 28, 2017 - Fiery Seas Publishing

Genre: Political Thriller

What happens when one of America’s biggest rock stars leaves the Las Vegas stage to run for the United State Senate? The ultimate celebrity candidate, Tyler Sloan is no stranger to politics – his estranged father was a California governor who narrowly lost a Presidential campaign. He runs as a political independent, refuses campaign contributions, and dismisses special interests and lobbyists. Sloan is caught in a political campaign fraught with; sexual scandal, corruption and conflicting loyalties. Will he be able to navigate through political turbulence and his own past to win the race?

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Wayne Avrashow was the campaign manager for two successful Los Angeles City Council campaigns and a Deputy/Chief of Staff to those two elected City Council members. He served as a senior advisor for a successful city-wide referendum in the City of Los Angeles, co-authored ballot arguments on Los Angeles County-wide measures, served as Chairman for a Los Angeles County ballot measure, and was a Los Angeles government Commissioner for nearly twenty years. He currently serves as a Board Member of the Yaroslavsky Institute, a public policy institute founded by long time Southern California elected official, and now UCLA professor, Zev Yaroslavsky. His background in politics, government, business, and law provides unique insight into the machinations and characters that populate political campaigns. Wayne is a practicing attorney who specializes in government advocacy, real estate, and business law. Formerly, he was an officer in two real estate development firms. As a lawyer-lobbyist, he has represented clients before numerous California municipalities and in Nevada and Idaho. He has lectured at his law school and taught at Woodbury University in Los Angeles. He has also authored numerous op-ed articles that appeared in daily newspapers, legal, business, and real estate publications. In addition, he is the author of a self-published book for the legal community, Success at Mediation—10 Strategic Tools for Attorneys.

Primm, Nevada, was an instant city—almost an illusion as it magically rose from the desert on the Nevada-California border with three casinos and a shopping outlet mall. The Back Country Conference held at Primm’s Whiskey Pete’s Hotel was created to lure tourists to Nevada’s cow counties; to many, they were just vast masses on Nevada’s map.

            Several attendees at the conference turned to shoot glances at Sloan as he conversed with Bree in the rear of the ballroom. He never failed to recognize that fame was his hole card.

            “This speech the aides drafted is recycled gruel,” Sloan muttered as he skimmed the bullet points of a speech listed on a series of index cards. “Do you think I need this?”

            Bree responded with a silent nod.

            “No nods. Talk to me. I didn’t hire you to nod,” he said firmly.

            She leaned closer to him and covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m just the go-between, Martino had me give these to you. My view? It’s beyond this stack of cards they gave you; this staff is draining the life out of you. I’d give you one card with a few points and let you wing it. Look at them, half of this crowd is staring back at you. You know want they want.”

            Sloan smiled at the obvious reminder; this group wanted Tyler Sloan. “I’ve got it.” He handed the briefing cards to Bree. “Put your sweet lips on these and kiss them goodbye.”

            Sloan walked to the stage, fueled by the Game’s speedball rush of adrenaline. He likened it to emerging from backstage to start a concert. He grinned broadly at the adulation.

            “Use me!” Sloan opened with a suddenness that appeared to jolt the audience. “I’m visiting each of Nevada’s seventeen counties. I can handle a mountain bike, done a little river rafting, and love to hike. Post those photos on the net, link your social media to mine, and together we’ll spread the word about all of Nevada!”

            Many in the crowd stood and clapped appreciatively.

            “Do you really think the Democrats, Republicans, and their special interests care about Ely?” he asked in a mocking tone. “Have they ever set foot in Fallon?”

            The response was loud. “Nooo!”

            “Have the Democrats or Republicans and their special interests stimulated the economy in your town?” Sloan reveled in the give-and-take. “I can’t imagine you want more needless, senseless, big-government regulations hamstringing your businesses.”

            Others joined those already standing to shout their agreement. The applause dial was spinning madly.

            “Let’s take it back!” Sloan shouted. “Let’s take our government back!” Sloan visualized the crowd’s energy in his palm. He gave it a gentle squeeze by raising his voice. “The two parties think they’re too good for rural Nevada! Not me! We’re united! Let’s take it back!”

            “Take it back!” A number of voices rang out. “Take it back! Take it back!”

            “Take it back,” Sloan commanded with a full smile. “You’ve got true grit—let’s show it! The two parties have no clue! Let’s take it back! Take it back!”

            “Take it back! Take it back!” the room echoed.

            Sloan concluded his speech and nearly dove into the crowd, exchanging high-fives, hugs, and handshakes. He looked among the faces for Bree, and his eyes settled on her. She was mouthing, “Viral.”

Roll the Dice - Wayne Avrashow

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