The Benefits of Watching March Madness

by Lola Karns

By now the first weekend of the NCAA Men’s College Basketball tournament has whittled the field of 68 teams to a mere 16. If you were unaware of this fact, then either you are not a college basketball fan, or do you live with one. I wasn’t familiar with March Madness until I met my husband, who has been known to take days off of work and set up extra TVs to watch as many games as possible.

The concept seemed silly to me until I noticed how many broad-shouldered muscular men bounded around the court, and that includes the coaches. I won a “bragging rights” league the year I filled out my bracket based on which team had the hottest coach. Being superficial paid off, thanks to Shaka Smart and the Virginia Commonwealth Rams. Kyle Collins, hero of my Decadent release Bad Traveler is Final Four worthy.

Eye candy aside, I recommend watching the NCAA Basketball tournament, men and women’s, for another reason. You will not encounter such a range of publicly expressed emotions anywhere else. For this writer, a crowd shot is like hunting for gold in the middle of Fort Knox. Moments of unfettered joy and relief sit across the aisle from despair and grief. On the court and in the stands, you see it all; determination, cocky confidence, boredom, anger, nervousness, happiness, regret, and even lust. Once the kids are in bed, the hubs and I play a game of “who’s getting laid tonight.” After this opening weekend, I’m on an emotional hangover that will feed my next manuscript.

If you need a taste of college basketball to tide you over until next weekend, check out Bad Traveler:

Recipes are a way of life for Gwen Jones. Take one single mother, her infant daughter and a business plan for a small town bakery. Combine with an eventful cross-country flight, chance encounter with her college crush and a dash of motion sickness. Stir in a few nuts, or family members, and large quantities of chocolate. Will this recipe be an oven oops, or as delicious as her alma matter’s newest coach?

Having survived an attack in Afghanistan that cost him a leg and a wife, Kyle Collins developed a strategy to find meaning in life. He may be an assistant basketball coach but he refuses to sit on the sidelines. When the runs into the woman whose lips are as unforgettable as her brownies, Kyle decides to spice up Gwen’s recipes.

When a secret ingredient is thrown into the mix, can their recipe for a happily-ever-after rise to the occasion, or will it end up a hot mess?

Bad Traveler Buy Links

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I’m downright giddy over my first Decadent release, Bad Traveler and a chance to be on this blog. I wrote a pleasant post about why I became a writer and not a baker, even though there are some similarities. After I returned from my pre-edit cup of coffee, the file mysteriously disappeared from my computer. Near a slobbery baby binky, I found a post it note with the words “Interview Kyle. He needs the practice.” Dear readers, allow me to introduce you to Kyle Collins, the hero of Bad Traveler.

Kyle - I hate being called a hero. You know that.

Me – No need to be get upset. It’s a literary term. I’m curious about your military past. Can you expand on tours in Afghanistan?

Kyle – No. [Goes stone face.]

Me – Okay then. How about the rumor I heard that you might become a head coach?

Kyle – No comment.

[Gwen enters] Remember what Coach said about working with the media and Lola, you promised not to ask those questions. If all goes well, there are brownies in the oven for later.

Me –Are those brownies any good?

Kyle – Better than heaven. Say, that would have been a good title for your book.

Me – Too cryptic.

Kyle – What about “The Baker, the Baby and the Basketball Player? That’s descriptive.

Me – I suspect it’s too long to fit on a cover and I thought you were a basketball coach. By the way, congratulations on your tournament victory. I saw the game on TV. Where do you get your suits?

Kyle – The tall section. I shop a few department stores and have great confidence in my tailor.

Me – Does your tailor complain if you eat too many cookies?

Kyle – There is no such thing as too many cookies, especially if Gwen’s baking. My tailor grumbles if I don’t run enough miles.

Me – That makes all the difference. Do you have a favorite type of bakery treat she makes?

Kyle – All of them.

Me – Really?

Kyle – [glances around then leans close to me. He smells nice.] Gwen has a bit of a temper so I had to make sure she’s not listening, but she makes these teething biscuits for Chloe that are disgusting. There’s no sugar in th—

Gwen – I heard that! Here, Lola. Why don’t you take these brownies home to your family.

Kyle – Do I smell a hint of coffee?

Gwen – Triple chocolate espresso brownies. I tried one before coming in here. Delish. [She gazes at Kyle and licks a finger.]

Me –Any chance I could get the recipe?

Gwen – Absolutely not. I’ve got a business to protect.

Me - I see the way the two of you are looking at each other and I have some idea what will happen next. Since you two are ignoring me, I’ll grab these goodies and see myself out.

Thinking of goodies, I have a $10 gift card giveaway active now through September 4^th.  
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