Let It Ride

Do you like to gamble? Do you live your life from one Vegas vacation to the next? I confess, I’m not much of a gambler. I know how to play all the games, I know the odds (I’m a math nerd, it’s in my DNA), but when it comes time to throw your money on the table and let it ride… I just don’t. It’s not that I’m afraid to. It’s just that I like being in control. I like taking risks in ways where the resulting success or failure depends on my skill or, more often, on my skill and luck.

Pinochle, hearts, poker – those are my kinds of games. But those are all the games where you are pitting your skill (and luck) against someone else’s rather than against The Fates.

I feel like the appeal of craps and roulette and those games which depend entirely on the roll of dice or the plunking of a little ball is in throwing yourself into the hands of the Universe and letting it do what it will with you. I haven’t ever done that, but maybe I’m missing out.

(Is anyone else humming Luck Be a Lady to yourself right now or is that just me?)

In my new release, The Naked Detective, my heroine Ciara has been cautious for years, never taking a chance. Then she takes one and it works out for her so… well, she throws herself into the hands of the Universe and lets it ride. Ciara becomes an instant gambling junky, high on the thrill of her first win. And when she keeps on winning…. Oh yeah, we know how dangerous that is. She spins right out of control, but is that so terrible when the last thing you want is caution?

It’s an adventure to give up control of your life, throw yourself into the hands of Fate and let go – and if you aren’t feeling quite that daring yourself, you can live vicariously through Ciara. ;)

Are you a risk taker? Does gambling make your heart race or your stomach drop? What’s your favorite way to throw caution to the wind?