Hi, and thanks for having me over to talk about Ace and Match, my own personal homage to the wonderful world of tennis.
As a rule, I don’t enjoy sport. Usually just watching it is enough to make me tired, but for two weeks every summer, all that changes. I am of course talking about Wimbledon. While the tournament is on, I live and breathe tennis, and I wanted to capture some of the excitement I feel whenever I’m watching a really good match. There is no sport quite like it for stunning displays of athleticism—each side of the court is just under 100m², the ball is routinely served at 120-130mph, and returned almost as fast. The truly staggering thing is how effortless the players make it seem when they’re covering that amount of ground and reacting at that speed.
More than that, I think the principle of sport is wonderful. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, anyone can be a successful athlete if they work hard enough. Sport is the great leveller, and also the great unifier. The millions of people who attend different sporting events every single week demonstrate that fact.
That principle, however, isn’t always represented in the real world, and being a gay athlete is still tough, although more so in some sports than others. Since the focus on Russia in the run up to the Sochi Winter Olympics, more athletes than ever have spoken out about their sexuality, or have voiced support for all their colleagues, whatever their orientation. Still, there’s an element of wish fulfilment in my writing an English tennis champion who also happens to be gay.
Brian and Lexi’s story is not one of homophobia in sport, however. First and foremost it’s a love story between two guys who have more than the opinions of strangers standing in their way—there’s a whole ocean separating them, not to mention Brian’s mother, for whom a gay son was never part of the plan. Luckily, Brian was never a man to say no to a challenge, and he’s more than willing to gamble on love.
ABOUT THE BOOKS
ACE (Book #1)
Blurb: At twenty-two years old, World No.6 and England’s No.1, Brian Scagill has the tennis world at his feet. Last year’s semifinalist, this year Brian enters England’s biggest tournament determined to win. A Grand Slam on home turf is calling to him and he’s not going to let anything stand in the way of victory – certainly not a cute Croatian who doesn’t even play in the same league.
Fooling around with Lexi might be an easy distraction but the last thing Brian needs right now is to be distracted, and there’s more than this tournament at stake.
MATCH (Book #2)
Blurb: Whatever happened to Brian Scagill?
A year after his dramatic exit from England’s Grand Slam tournament, Brian has all but disappeared from the world of professional tennis, and doesn’t intend to return. He’s made a life for himself with fellow athlete Lexi Horvat, far removed from the dual pressures of fame and family.
A surprise wildcard might be his last chance to play on an international stage, and Brian’s life is thrown into tumult once again. This time, however, he’s not alone. Lexi has secured himself a place in the tournament, as has Jared, a young player the two men have been coaching. With his loved ones accompanying him, Brian agrees to play. Lexi promises they’ll take on the tournament together, as a team, but Brian knows better than anyone that on the grass, it’s every man for himself.
About the Author
Kate Aaron lives in Cheshire, England with two dogs who won’t behave, a parrot that won’t talk and a bearded dragon named Elvis.
She has the best of friends, the worst of enemies, and a mischievous muse with a passion for storytelling that doesn’t know the difference between fact and fiction.
Read Danielle’s series review here :
http://sidlove.com/2014/02/03/series-review-brian-lexi-by-kate-aaron/
GIVEAWAY
Kate Aaron is giving away an e-copy of ACE or MATCH (Reader’s Choice)!!
To enter in this contest, leave a comment to this post along with your email ID and tell us the sport you like the best and how crazily you follow it!
CONTEST ENDS 9TH FEBRUARY, 2014 @ 23:59 PACIFIC TIME
I don’t really like sports either, lol. I think the only time I watch sports is when the Olympics comes on (mostly the swimming, diving, gymnastics and ice skating) and occasionally in the summer for tennis matches. I use to watch bowling but that was a long time ago.
Thanks for the giveaway =) Both books sound great.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
My favorite sport is football – American football. I love sports themed stories – I’m not a big tennis fan but I did love Ace and can’t wait to read Match – love Brian and Lexi. Thanks for the post and giveaway.
lgrant1@san.rr.com
I’ve watched my fair share of Tennis back in the day, when people of my generation were up on top…like Steffi Graf and Boris Becker.
Now my favorite sports is archery…but that really isn’t a sport for viewers’ excitement unless you are personally involved.
I’d love to read your stories and sure will in the very near future!
Byrasch@t-online.de
as much as I’m an Aussie, my favourite sports are baseball (Yankees!!!!) and ice hockey (NY Rangers!!!!!!!!!!)
leetee2007@hotmail.com
I do somewhat follow women’s college basketball. Our state has a great team and I love watching them play. We have season tickets.
debby236 at hotmail dot com
My favorite sport as a spectator is baseball, although I watch my kids play much more than I watch MLB. I used to enjoy playing tennis and racquetball, but haven’t so much since we moved out to the boondocks. Thanks for the giveaway!
jen.f {at} mac {dot} com
I don’t watch much sport but when it comes to Tennis I like to watch the double’s matches they are always great. I’ve got “Ace” So I’d love to win “Match” in PDF format.
ShirleyAnn@speakman40.freeserve.co.uk
Locally I compete/referee/coach in girls netball and basketball, so these are my favourite sports. On an international level, I suppose the only thing I religiously watch is Tour de France, especially as our tiny 220sq mile island has two riders now in the Tour.
My favorite sport is baseball. It get pretty crazy around here towards the end of the season. I’m sure all the neighbors can hear the yelling.
kimandpete(at)me(dot)com
I’m not really a sports person and it depends on the time of year. In warm weather, it’s baseball, but in cold weather, it’s football of any type as long as it’s played in the north. With baseball, I watch every Yankee game I can find and will put off everything to watch them – other teams, not so much. With football, I just watch enough to see if there’s snow or ice on the field. There is nothing more fun than watching a snowy or icy football game and I plop myself down and refuse to move so I guess it’s more of a case of loving to see players slip and slide.
I’m interested in this book because no matter how much I watch tennis, I cannot understand it at all and maybe this will help. I also love Kate Aaron’s writing.
andreams2013 at gmail.com
I am a major sports fan (family says freak) and I follow most sports. Football, baseball, hockey, tennis and more. I’ve even been know to watch (gasp) gold on TV.
goaliemom0049(at)gmail(dot)com
I like tennis themed books, but there aren’t many around. These sound good so I shall definitely be reading them. Nu
I’m a big hockey fanatic, and I especially love the San Jose Sharks (when they have a rough night, it can really put me in a foul mood). I also like college and international hockey, though I don’t follow those as closely. I guess I’m looking forward to the Olympics, though I’m worried my guys will get hurt, and I’m not sure where my allegiances will fall since they’re playing for different countries…
vitajex(at)aol(Dot)com
I grew up in England so Wimbledon is in my blood 😉 Thanks for writing a book about it!
I like ice dancing and I watch recordings or different championships on YT.
blackasphodel(at)yahoo(dot)com
I absolutely love my Texas Rangers (baseball) and live about 2 miles from the ballpark. Good times. 🙂
aelnova@aol.com
I like and enjoy soccer ONLY from Captain Tsubasa anime and Brazilian jiu-jitsu that sounds very intersting for me , mevalem258 A T gmail DOT com
that book cover is so hot x
Book sounds amazing! My absolute favorite sport is football, but enjoy watching so many. Golf is probably the only sport I can’t seem to get into. Thanks for offering the chance to pick this book up! flutterfli01@yahoo.com
I’m not a sports person, personally, but I followed baseball while in college. Love watching ballroom competitions (usually Olympics) or figure skating but generally don’t watch much tv anymore.
eloreenmoon at gmail dot com
I love sports….football, baseball, ice skating…. I can’t wait for the olympics to start!!
Thanks for the giveaway! jasdarts@hotmail.com
I’m not a sport person, but I’m a sucker for sports movies, and I’ll watch any sport on film.
Thank you for sharing with us. I have Ace and am grateful for the chance to win Match.
caroaz [at] ymail [dot] com
Winner is selected , congrats Barbra!