BLOG TOUR, 4 1/2 STAR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Grasping Air (Flipped #2) by Carrie Aarons

Today, we have the gorgeous new book from Carrie Aarons Grasping Air. Check it out and get your copy today!

 

We were the seconds after a grip released the bar, body floating through the air with nervous wonder. Would we successfully grab it again, or would we hit the mat, shattered and defeated?

Peyton Adams learned a long time ago that selfish and detached is the only way to be in life. What most people call shameless or obnoxious behavior, she considers key to getting where she needs to go. Most disapproving of all? USA Gymnastics’ golden boy with an eight-pack, Jared Hargrove. After being cut from the women’s team right before Rio, Peyton is back on the post-Summer Games tour. Not only is she the only one without a gold medal, but her history with Jared won’t stay buried for long.

Control and good manners; the two things drilled into Jared Hargrove’s head from birth. As a four-time gold medalist, he’s always obeyed the rules and reaped the reward. Well, except for the whirlwind week four years ago in London when wild-child Peyton Adams finally got under his skin, and into his bed. She broke his heart, and he hasn’t removed the ice wall around it since. Now she’s back to redeem herself to the world of gymnastics, and it seems, to push his buttons more than ever.

After years of resentment and heartache, can they repair a relationship so badly broken that most people wouldn’t even try? Or will they continue to fall, grasping at any last emotion before they finally collapse?

Amazon 

My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review.

In the previous book, Blind Landing, we learned that Peyton and Jared had a history and it was clear that they disliked each other, but we didn't know why. I know I was intrigued by their interactions, so I was excited to learn there story was coming next. 

After the London Olympics, Jared and Peyton spent a glorious week together. At the end of it, Jared told Peyton he loved her and when she did not return the favor, a lot of things were said that could not be taken back and hearts were definitely broken. Hence the animosity between them that exists today. It is now the post Rio Olympics tour and the team is down a person, so they bring in Peyton who failed to make the Rio team, to fill the void. It doesn't take long for Peyton and Jared to run into each other and the insults fly. It becomes evident that the tour will be a long one unless they can put their differences aside and get along. 

And that is what they eventually do. They decide to be friends, but they were never really good at being friends. So it doesn't take long until they are rekindling their romance. It gets off to a rocky start and they have a lot of stuff to work through,but once they start to work on things, their relationship moves very quickly. They have already spent four years apart and neither of them want to waste anymore time. 

I loved Peyton and Jared as a couple. While they had gymnastics in common, that was about the only thing they had in common. They came from completely different backgrounds and while Peyton was more of a free spirit, Jared was very serious. I always liked Peyton and I felt sorry for her with the way everything played out in Blind Landing. Those moments when she was alone with Jared and she told him her secrets and fears were some of the best parts of the story. It was nice to see a different side of her in this book. Jared definitely knew how to handle her and her tendencies to get a little crazy. She even manages to get Jared to let loose a few times. He was just the best. Talk about a sweetheart and a true gentleman. The guy was head over heels for her, even when he thought he didn't really like her that much. Once they are back together, he does everything he can to make her feel like she belongs in his life. Not matter what anyone else may say or do.

If you liked Blind Landing, you will definitely like Grasping Air. We don't get too much Spencer in this one, but we get a lot of Nat and we also get to know some of the other gymnasts a little better. I don't know what the author has planned for the next book, but I can't wait to read it. 

     

Author of romance novels such as Red Card and the Captive Heart Duet, Carrie Aarons writes sexy, swoony and sarcastic characters who won't get out of her head until she puts them down on a page. Carrie has wanted to be an author since the first time she opened a book. She loves spinning tales that include dapper men, women with attitude, and the occasional hunky athlete. When she isn't in what her husband calls a "writing coma", Carrie is freeing up her jam-packed DVR, starting her latest DIY project, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, who is more than happy to watch sports while his wife plots love stories.    

Facebook: www.facebook.com/carrieaarons

Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorcarriea

Website: www.carrieaarons.com

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1USXnLP

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1N7Ye99

Street Team: on.fb.me/1PGNDPG

Enter Carrie’s Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

RELEASE BLITZ, 4 1/2 STAR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Grasping Air (Flipped #2) by Carrie Aarons

Title: Grasping Air

Series: Flipped #2

Author: Carrie Aarons

Genre: Sports Romance

Release Date: October 23, 2016

Blurb

We were the seconds after a grip released the bar, body floating through the air with nervous wonder. Would we successfully grab it again, or would we hit the mat, shattered and defeated?

Peyton Adams learned a long time ago that selfish and detached is the only way to be in life. What most people call shameless or obnoxious behavior, she considers key to getting where she needs to go. Most disapproving of all? USA Gymnastics’ golden boy with an eight-pack, Jared Hargrove. After being cut from the women’s team right before Rio, Peyton is back on the post-Summer Games tour. Not only is she the only one without a gold medal, but her history with Jared won’t stay buried for long.

Control and good manners; the two things drilled into Jared Hargrove’s head from birth. As a four-time gold medalist, he’s always obeyed the rules and reaped the reward. Well, except for the whirlwind week four years ago in London when wild-child Peyton Adams finally got under his skin, and into his bed. She broke his heart, and he hasn’t removed the ice wall around it since. Now she’s back to redeem herself to the world of gymnastics, and it seems, to push his buttons more than ever.

After years of resentment and heartache, can they repair a relationship so badly broken that most people wouldn’t even try? Or will they continue to fall, grasping at any last emotion before they finally collapse?

ADD TO GOODREADS

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review.

In the previous book, Blind Landing, we learned that Peyton and Jared had a history and it was clear that they disliked each other, but we didn't know why. I know I was intrigued by their interactions, so I was excited to learn there story was coming next. 

After the London Olympics, Jared and Peyton spent a glorious week together. At the end of it, Jared told Peyton he loved her and when she did not return the favor, a lot of things were said that could not be taken back and hearts were definitely broken. Hence the animosity between them that exists today. It is now the post Rio Olympics tour and the team is down a person, so they bring in Peyton who failed to make the Rio team, to fill the void. It doesn't take long for Peyton and Jared to run into each other and the insults fly. It becomes evident that the tour will be a long one unless they can put their differences aside and get along. 

And that is what they eventually do. They decide to be friends, but they were never really good at being friends. So it doesn't take long until they are rekindling their romance. It gets off to a rocky start and they have a lot of stuff to work through,but once they start to work on things, their relationship moves very quickly. They have already spent four years apart and neither of them want to waste anymore time. 

I loved Peyton and Jared as a couple. While they had gymnastics in common, that was about the only thing they had in common. They came from completely different backgrounds and while Peyton was more of a free spirit, Jared was very serious. I always liked Peyton and I felt sorry for her with the way everything played out in Blind Landing. Those moments when she was alone with Jared and she told him her secrets and fears were some of the best parts of the story. It was nice to see a different side of her in this book. Jared definitely knew how to handle her and her tendencies to get a little crazy. She even manages to get Jared to let loose a few times. He was just the best. Talk about a sweetheart and a true gentleman. The guy was head over heels for her, even when he thought he didn't really like her that much. Once they are back together, he does everything he can to make her feel like she belongs in his life. Not matter what anyone else may say or do.

If you liked Blind Landing, you will definitely like Grasping Air. We don't get too much Spencer in this one, but we get a lot of Nat and we also get to know some of the other gymnasts a little better. I don't know what the author has planned for the next book, but I can't wait to read it. 

Also Available

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Author Bio

Author of romance novels such as Red Card and the Captive Heart Duet, Carrie Aarons writes sexy, swoony and sarcastic characters who won't get out of her head until she puts them down on a page.

Carrie has wanted to be an author since the first time she opened a book. She loves spinning tales that include dapper men, women with attitude, and the occasional hunky athlete.

When she isn't in what her husband calls a "writing coma", Carrie is freeing up her jam-packed DVR, starting her latest DIY project, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, who is more than happy to watch sports while his wife plots love stories.

Author Links

FACEBOOK

TWITTER
 AMAZON
GOODREADS
FACEBOOK GROUP

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: Grasping Air (Flipped #2) by Carrie Aarons

Title: Grasping Air

Series: Flipped #2

Author: Carrie Aarons

Genre: Sports Romance

Cover Design: Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations

Release Date: October 23, 2016

Blurb

We were the seconds after a grip released the bar, body floating through the air with nervous wonder. Would we successfully grab it again, or would we hit the mat, shattered and defeated?

Peyton Adams learned a long time ago that selfish and detached is the only way to be in life. What most people call shameless or obnoxious behavior, she considers key to getting where she needs to go. Most disapproving of all? USA Gymnastics’ golden boy with an eight-pack, Jared Hargrove. After being cut from the women’s team right before Rio, Peyton is back on the post-Summer Games tour. Not only is she the only one without a gold medal, but her history with Jared won’t stay buried for long.

Control and good manners; the two things drilled into Jared Hargrove’s head from birth. As a four-time gold medalist, he’s always obeyed the rules and reaped the reward. Well, except for the whirlwind week four years ago in London when wild-child Peyton Adams finally got under his skin, and into his bed. She broke his heart, and he hasn’t removed the ice wall around it since. Now she’s back to redeem herself to the world of gymnastics, and it seems, to push his buttons more than ever.

After years of resentment and heartache, can they repair a relationship so badly broken that most people wouldn’t even try? Or will they continue to fall, grasping at any last emotion before they finally collapse?

ADD TO GOODREADS

Also Available

AMAZON US / UK

Author Bio

Author of romance novels such as Red Card and the Captive Heart Duet, Carrie Aarons writes sexy, swoony and sarcastic characters who won't get out of her head until she puts them down on a page.

Carrie has wanted to be an author since the first time she opened a book. She loves spinning tales that include dapper men, women with attitude, and the occasional hunky athlete.

When she isn't in what her husband calls a "writing coma", Carrie is freeing up her jam-packed DVR, starting her latest DIY project, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, who is more than happy to watch sports while his wife plots love stories.

Author Links

FACEBOOK

TWITTER
 AMAZON
GOODREADS
FACEBOOK GROUP

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BLOG TOUR, 4 1/2 STAR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Blind Landing (Flipped #1) by Carrie Aarons

  

 

Fear stops dreams in their tracks before they even have a chance. Then again, so do injuries. 

Natalia Grekov was born to win Olympic gold. As the USA’s top gymnast, she’s calm, confident and ready to make her country proud in just two short months. And her elite athlete lifestyle includes no time for distractions—especially men. When a disastrous fall in practice puts her dreams at risk, it seems the only person who can help her is the one person she wants nothing from. 

Spencer Russell is gymnastics’ bad boy. A cocky, laid-back charmer with abs of steel and a witty mouth, he waltzes around the U.S. Gymnastics Training Camp like he owns the place—even though he doesn't anymore. After an injury sidelined his career and any chance at Olympic glory, he’s now just a coach, helping other gymnasts reach their goals. Serious is not a word in Spencer’s vocabulary. But when Natalia tumbles into his life, he's suddenly sincerely interested in helping the blonde beauty in any way he can. 

Can they vault over the obstacles standing in their way? Or will Spencer be the distraction that causes Natalia's chance at gold to crash and burn?

Buy Links: 

Amazon US→ http://amzn.to/2adH6DN

UK→ http://amzn.to/2aLfmYd 

My Review

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

So I love the Olympics. I can become that person who is like "Yeah, sorry I am late...I was watching beach volleyball." So give me a romance book about Olympians and chances are I will read it. Then add in a little forbidden relationship between a gymnast and her coach and I am going to devour that book, which is what happened with Blind Landing. 

All Nat has ever wanted is to represent her country at the Olympics. She has sacrificed her childhood, as well as being with her family, in order to achieve her dream. But when she suffers an accident at practice, the fear, which is probably the worst thing a gymnast can get, sets in. She knows that if she is going to make it to the Olympics, she needs to get over that fear. And if anyone finds about what is happening, she can kiss her Olympic dreams goodbye, so she starts getting up extra early to sneak into one the gyms to work things out.

After suffering a career ending injury, Spencer has transitioned into a coach. He enjoys his new role and is really good at it. While he doesn't really know Nat, he knows of her and is intrigued by her. They have a few run ins both in and out of practice and the seeds of their relationship are planted. 

When Spence notices that something is off with Nat, he questions her and then offers to help: 

“You’re afraid. What happened? I know what fear looks like, Nat. We’ve all seen what havoc it can wreak.”

She sighs; someone coming out of the gym jars us both. But they can’t see us, the two girls paths solely focused on running to whatever workout, gym or training session they have next.

“I fell on my neck.” Nat whispers, turning her head to the side and averting those big blue eyes from mine. Even without her gorgeous features trained on me, I can feel the fear radiating off of her body.

“When? How? I can’t help you if you don’t tell me.” My heart aches for her.

I know about fear. You don’t throw your body into flips and dangerous stunts without coming down with fear every so often. Most gymnasts naturally get it once in awhile. Like the flu. It throws off your whole damn system. But with treatment, it can be eradicated.

“About a month and a half ago at my home gym. I was just going through a beam routine set, it was just one in the ten I had to do that day at practice. I was about halfway through, resting on my laurels and throwing my skills like I could do them in my sleep. I let my guard down; I wasn’t tightening my body enough. I went into it, and my foot slipped somewhere along the way. The next thing I knew, I was laying on the mat with my neck bent backwards. I didn’t hear a snap or a crack, but I wasn’t allowed to move until the trainer came in ten minutes later. For ten minutes, all I could think was: Can you feel your fingers? Can you feel your toes? Am I ever going to do gymnastics again?”

I wipe my hand over my face, empathy flowing through me. We may not be motorcycle racers or football players, but I bet I’ve seen more bones poking through the skin than they have. I bet I’ve seen more emergency room visits, fractured spines, premature arthritis and life-altering injuries.

“I get it, Nat. I do. But you’re fine now. You’re here, on your way to the Olympics. Don’t let the fear control you.”It’s a stupid response, I know because of course you can’t just take the advice to get over your fears. Poof! Someone else says it and you’re not afraid. It doesn’t work like that.

Those dark aqua orbs, the color of clear blue waters off Bermuda or Aruba find mine. Nat is gripping her honey blond hair tightly. “You don’t understand. I don’t get scared. I’ve never been afraid of anything in this sport. Not for sixteen whole years.”

My stomach drops as I stare at the vulnerable woman in front of me. She’s a gymnastics unicorn. Fear has never been in her vocabulary. She’s one of the rare of us who can throw skills way outside of her skill range without so much as a thought.

“That’s why this is so bad …” I trail off, connecting the dots.

Nat nods. “I have no idea how to control this, because I’ve never been afraid of doing anything. Spence, I stand at the end of that beam and my body won’t let me move. I’m a prisoner in my own skin. I don’t know what to do.”

There is so much pain in her eyes that I feel a twinge deep down in my own gut.

“I’m going to help you. You’ll get over this, Nat, and I’ll help you. You deserve this, you deserve to go to the Olympics. You’re the best female gymnast this country has seen in decades. We’re going to fix this.”

She nods at me, and I see it in her eyes. The admiration, the hope that I will be able to solve all of her problems. And the word that is ringing in my head.

Together.

The thing I loved about Spence was that he never judged Nat. He just understood and had absolutely no qualms about helping her. And that was exactly what she needed. She didn't need anyone yelling at her or tearing her down. She just needed the support that Spence was more than willing to give. Their relationship starts off as friendly with a little flirting here and there (aka "friends who flirt"), but it quickly turns into so much more. 

I absolutely loved Spence and Nat's relationship. They both had the utmost respect for each other and there were these moments where they both found themselves in awe of the other person. Spence because he saw such greatness in Nat and Nat because Spence just owned the person he had become. After getting injured he could have easily given up gymnastics or became bitter athlete who never achieved his dreams, but he is not that person. 

The road to gold and happily ever after is not a smooth one, but it was such a great ride. The book gives you a glimpse into what gymnasts have to go through to achieve their dreams. It's hard work that can seem almost impossible to do at times. Thankfully Nat has awesome teammates and they are to support each other through thick and thin. There is also some fantastic sexy times that has now made me look at a particular gymnastic apparatus in a whole new light.  ;-) 

I can't wait for the rest of the series. I am crossing my fingers that one of my favorite secondary characters, Rourke, will get his own book. He is one those coaches that everybody loves, is described as a DILF AND he is a single dad. Sign. Me. Up. And there a few moments that allude to some of the other athletes having a history and they definitely piqued my interest. 

About Carrie Aarons 

Author of romance novels such as Red Card and the Captive Heart Duet, Carrie Aarons writes sexy, swoony and sarcastic characters who won't get out of her head until she puts them down on a page.

Carrie has wanted to be an author since the first time she opened a book. She loves spinning tales that include dapper men, women with attitude, and the occasional hunky athlete.

When she isn't in what her husband calls a "writing coma", Carrie is freeing up her jam-packed DVR, starting her latest DIY project, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, who is more than happy to watch sports while his wife plots love stories.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/carrieaarons

Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorcarriea

Website: www.carrieaarons.com

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1USXnLP

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1N7Ye99

Street Team: on.fb.me/1PGNDPG

Enter Carrie’s Giveaway 

a Rafflecopter giveaway    

RELEASE WEEK LAUNCH & GIVEAWAY: Blind Landing (Flipped #1) by Carrie Aarons

Today we have Blind Landing by Carrie Aarons. Grab this sexy sports romance just in time for the Olympics!! 

Fear stops dreams in their tracks before they even have a chance. Then again, so do injuries. 

Natalia Grekov was born to win Olympic gold. As the USA’s top gymnast, she’s calm, confident and ready to make her country proud in just two short months. And her elite athlete lifestyle includes no time for distractions—especially men. When a disastrous fall in practice puts her dreams at risk, it seems the only person who can help her is the one person she wants nothing from. 

Spencer Russell is gymnastics’ bad boy. A cocky, laid-back charmer with abs of steel and a witty mouth, he waltzes around the U.S. Gymnastics Training Camp like he owns the place—even though he doesn't anymore. After an injury sidelined his career and any chance at Olympic glory, he’s now just a coach, helping other gymnasts reach their goals. Serious is not a word in Spencer’s vocabulary. But when Natalia tumbles into his life, he's suddenly sincerely interested in helping the blonde beauty in any way he can. 

Can they vault over the obstacles standing in their way? Or will Spencer be the distraction that causes Natalia's chance at gold to crash and burn? 

Buy Links: 

Amazon US→ http://amzn.to/2adH6DN 

UK→ http://amzn.to/2aLfmYd

Exclusive Excerpt:

I’m only about ten feet from their table when a chair shoots out, nearly tripping me. I stumble and try to hold my tray steady as I wobble for my balance.

“Good thing gymnasts have some of the best balance in the world. Otherwise, I’d be splat on the floor next to my eggs. As for grace, well, I guess not all female gymnasts have that.” Righting myself, I turn to stare at the back of a sleek blond ponytail.

“And if males in general had any awareness at all, you would have seen me pushing out my chair before you nearly tripped over it.”

Blond ponytail whips around, and her smirk wipes clear off her face when she realizes who I am. “Shit. Mr. Russell, I’m sorry …”

“Nah, don’t worry about it, babydoll. I won’t tell Novak you’re mouthing off to coaches. That is, only if you never call me Mr. Russell again.”

I flash my mega-watt smile at her, because I’m trying to make her feel better. But also because she is a very pretty girl. Or, woman, technically. Don’t girls refuse to be called girls after the age of eighteen? Something about respecting their feminine age or something like that? I’d have to ask my mom about this.

Natalia Grekov, whether she was a girl or a woman, was a very, very pretty one. Long blond hair, those exotic Polish eyes the shade of blueberries, with full, pouty pink lips. She had the body of a ballerina, not the stocky gymnast build so many of the girls here had. Natalia wasn’t big in the tits department, but her ass … damn. Plump, beautiful and one I wanted to sink my teeth into. I know because I’d been watching it since she got here two weeks ago.

“Okay then, what should I call you?” Her smirk tells me she can play the flirting game too.

As a coach, I shouldn’t be fraternizing with the gymnasts. But … when had I ever fully listened to Novak? I was barely twenty-two; this pretty girl would be fair game if we were on a college campus.

“Well, you can call me coach; it’s authoritative, domineering. I also like Mr. Incredible or Sexiest Man Alive. But for regular everyday, you can just call me Spence.”

About Carrie Aarons: 

Author of romance novels such as Red Card and the Captive Heart Duet, Carrie Aarons writes sexy, swoony and sarcastic characters who won't get out of her head until she puts them down on a page. Carrie has wanted to be an author since the first time she opened a book. She loves spinning tales that include dapper men, women with attitude, and the occasional hunky athlete. When she isn't in what her husband calls a "writing coma", Carrie is freeing up her jam-packed DVR, starting her latest DIY project, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, who is more than happy to watch sports while his wife plots love stories. 

Links

Facebook: www.facebook.com/carrieaarons 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorcarriea 

Website: www.carrieaarons.com 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1USXnLP 

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1N7Ye99 

Street Team: on.fb.me/1PGNDPG 

 

 

Enter Carrie’s Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: Blind Landing (Flipped #1) by Carrie Aarons

Today, we have the gorgeous cover for Carrie Aarons Blind Landing. 

Check it out and add it to your to-read list today! 

Title: Blind Landing 

Author: Carrie Aarons 

Release Date: August 4th 2016

Genre: Sports Romance

About Blind Landing: 

Fear stops dreams in their tracks before they even have a chance. Then again, so do injuries.

Natalia Grekov was born to win Olympic gold. As the USA’s top gymnast, she’s calm, confident and ready to make her country proud in just two short months. And her elite athlete lifestyle includes no time for distractions—especially men. When a disastrous fall in practice puts her dreams at risk, it seems the only person who can help her is the one person she wants nothing from.

Spencer Russell is gymnastics’ bad boy. A cocky, laid-back charmer with abs of steel and a witty mouth, he waltzes around the U.S. Gymnastics Training Camp like he owns the place—even though he doesn't anymore. After an injury sidelined his career and any chance at Olympic glory, he’s now just a coach, helping other gymnasts reach their goals. Serious is not a word in Spencer’s vocabulary. But when Natalia tumbles into his life, he's suddenly sincerely interested in helping the blonde beauty in any way he can.

Can they vault over the obstacles standing in their way? Or will Spencer be the distraction that causes Natalia's chance at gold to crash and burn?

Add on Goodreads

Exclusive Excerpt

Gerek claps again and I look over in his direction. “Thank you for being able to join us this morning, Spencer.”

Turning towards the gym’s front doors, I watch Spence. It’s still strange, rolling his shortened nickname around in my mouth, but he insisted I call him that after I told him to call me Nat, so here we are. He strolls in, clad in his typical wardrobe of sandals and workout shorts.

And nothing else.

Jesus, he’s sexy. With all of those carved-out-of-stone muscles and short brown buzz cut, it’s like he should be in a Marines uniform instead of a chalk covered training center. He looks like he just rolled out of bed three seconds ago, and I squirm in my split. Which only adds to my building frustration as the carpet and my leotard create friction below my waistline.

“Oh, no problem, boss. Anything for you guys.” He gives a lopsided grin and jumps onto a stack of mats, lounging with one elbow propping him up. It’s as if he’s posing for a non-existent camera, like he’s the star model for a shoot in Gymnastics Monthly.

Actually, I think he did have a five-page spread a couple years back and I have it somewhere in my desk at home.

“Grace, Julia, Natalia, Peyton, Quinn and Lila … you are headed to the bars gym for the first part of practice today. Spencer, Anka and I will be assessing the men on pommel horse for the first part of the day, so you will be helping with the girl’s bar workout.”

My stomach flips. Bars is my best event, I’m not nervous about that. I could do my routine, which is one of the hardest of anyone at Sikora’s, in my sleep.

But having Spence watching me with those clover green eyes? Tracking my body as it spins and flies through the air? It makes the butterflies in my stomach explode.

I know he likes me, genuinely likes me. I know because he told me. And I genuinely like him too. We also find each other hot, or else we wouldn’t have gotten naked together in the Atlantic Ocean last night. That’s obvious.

But I don’t do boyfriends. Especially not boyfriends who are gymnasts. And don’t even get me started on the gymnast turned coach thing. Even if he isn’t my coach. Point is, I don’t even do hookups. Sure, I have in the past, but most of the time I find that the sex isn’t worth it and things just get awkward. Most would call me more adult than my years in this thought-process, but being an elite athlete means having to grow up fast. My biography might read nineteen, but I’ve been told I have the maturity and life view of a thirty-year-old. Talk about being jaded.

The whole relationship thing, no matter what form it’s in, is just too messy. And as much as I hate the Sikora’s and everything they stand for, I need to focus to achieve my goals. I’m not here to fulfill anyone else’s dreams, just my own.

I don’t have time for Spencer Russell. And what’s more, I have a feeling Spencer Russell does not have time, or serious interest, for me either.

Spence salutes Anka and Gerek, taunting them and crossing the line just a little further than anyone would dare where they’re concerned.

Then he turns to our group. “Alright ladies, let’s get moving. Someone remind me again, what’s this low bar for?”

The rest of our group giggles and bats their eyes at Spencer, but I just roll mine. His humor about the difference between the men’s high bar and the women’s uneven bars is the oldest joke in the book.

“Why don’t you watch and learn? We’ll show you what real gymnastics looks like.”

I skirt past him, pulling my gym bag over my shoulder as I exit the building and head to one of the countless warehouse buildings on the grounds that houses all of the bar equipment. The rest of the girls push their way in after me, a sea of brightly colored leotards, bare legs and ponytails.

About Carrie Aarons:

Author of romance novels such as Red Card and the Captive Heart Duet, Carrie Aarons writes sexy, swoony and sarcastic characters who won't get out of her head until she puts them down on a page.

Carrie has wanted to be an author since the first time she opened a book. She loves spinning tales that include dapper men, women with attitude, and the occasional hunky athlete.

When she isn't in what her husband calls a "writing coma", Carrie is freeing up her jam-packed DVR, starting her latest DIY project, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, who is more than happy to watch sports while his wife plots love stories.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/carrieaarons

Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorcarriea

Website: www.carrieaarons.com

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1USXnLP

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1N7Ye99

Street Team: on.fb.me/1PGNDPG

Enter Carrie’s Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway