Money Shot
by Brian Rouff
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Book Summary Information
Author: Brian RouffEdition: Paperback
Published: 2004-09
ISBN: 0971714827
Number of pages: 262
Publisher: Hardway Press
Book Reviews of Money Shot
Book Review: Every dreamed of a windfall? You'll LOVE this book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Everyone who has ever dreamed of a windfall can relate to this well-crafted novel about an ordinary guy whose soft drink bottle cap is a winner. There's a professional championship basketball game in several weeks, with some special half-time entertainment. Yes, because of the lucky bottle cap, he will appear at the game, and, with thousands of people watching, he will have the opportunity to make one single shot. If he makes it, he gets one million dollars. If he misses, he still will take home $50,000. He can't really lose. Or can he?
Written in the first person, Nick Nichols is very easy to relate to. He's an ordinary guy who loves his wife and daughter, and feels stuck in a boring job. Now, all of a sudden, he's a celebrity. And he has only a short time to bring his non-existent basketball skills up to a credible level of performance. And so he quits his job and devotes this time to basketball with the help of Angela, a streetwise African American former basketball player from Detroit.
Of course I was interested as I'm a basketball fan myself, especially following the WNBA. And now I was treated to an example of a basketball player's training, from the hours of shooting baskets to the mental tricks and attitude of being a winner. For example, he does a bungee jump to just conquer his own particular fear. And, later, there's a challenge on the basketball court from some intimidating teenage boys.
Through this all, the narrator keeps up a lively banter, with clever dialog and funny insights. He especially had me laughing out loud in the way he described Las Vegas. And, in some other humorous scenes, both Angela and Nick sample each other's "soul food". He takes her to a Jewish Deli and she takes him a barbeque place called Fat Daddy's Chicken & Ribs.
The tension mounts as the big day grows near and soon Nick, his family, and Angela are in Phoenix. But the ending is not simple as there are many more twists and turns of the plot and I found myself turning pages at a frantic pace, unwilling to look ahead to find out the conclusion just because I was enjoying the writing so much. And then, just when I thought I knew what happened, the plot turned again and I was left with the kind of satisfying conclusion that pulled all it all together.
This is a wonderful and uplifting book and there's not a bit of violence or disaster in it. It's just a simple good story with universal appeal. Definitely recommended.
Summary of Money Shot
Alan "Nick" Nichols is living the Great Las Vegas Dream. An executive at Las Vegas' biggest advertising agency, he has a fine home and family. Just as midlife rumblings of discontent are beginning to settle in, Nick suddenly hits the jackpot. Not in the lottery or at a slot machine, but by buying a Bigg Fizz soda with the winning bottle cap in a million-dollar basketball challenge.Now Nick has four weeks to prepare for a life changing three-point shot during halftime at the NCAA regional finals in Phoenix. If he nails it, he goes home with a cool mil.
But in Las Vegas, sometimes it's hard to tell good luck from bad.
Nick quits his job, dumps his cell phone, hires a coach, and rides the roller coaster of fame, stress, and unintended consequences. Finally, the big day arrives. He steps up to the three-point line...and that's when things get really weird.
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