Cover Reveal including Excerpt, Review & Giveaway – The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerick

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Author Name: Mia Kerick

Book Name: The Art of Hero Worship

Release Date: February 14, 2016

Blurb:

Trembling on the floor, pressed beneath a row of seats in a dark theater, college freshman Jason Tripp listens to the terrifying sound of gunshots, as an unknown shooter moves methodically through the theater, randomly murdering men, women, and children attending a student performance of Hamlet. Junior Liam Norcross drapes his massive body on top of Jason, sheltering the younger man from the deathly hail of bullets, risking his life willingly, and maybe even eagerly.

As a result of the shared horror, an extraordinary bond forms between the two young men, which causes discomfort for family and friends, as well as for Jason and Liam, themselves. And added to the challenge of two previously “straight” men falling into a same-sex love, are the complications that arise from the abundance of secrets Liam holds with regard to a past family tragedy. The fledgling passion between the men seems bound to fade away into the darkness from which it emerged.

Jason, however, is inexplicably called to rescue his hero in return, by delving into Liam’s shady past and uncovering the mystery that compels the older man to act as the college town’s selfless savior.

The Art of Hero Worship takes the reader on a voyage from the dark and chilling chaos that accompanies a mass shooting to the thrill of an unexpected and sensual romance.

Pages or Words: 212 pages

Categories: Contemporary, Crime Fiction, Gay Fiction,

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Excerpt:

Pop-pop-pop….

No, I’m not even remotely safe. But thankfully I play dead far better than my dog did when I taught him that trick at the age of seven.

The shots are earsplitting and getting louder because the shooter’s heading our way. I’m so fucking scared I’m trembling violently, but I promised the guy lying on top of me that I’d stay still. I concentrate on taking short shallow breaths, one after another, in my effort to stop trembling. To stay frozen—like I’ve been since I pulled Ginny to the floor and promptly let go of her hand so I could curl up into a tight fetal ball.

Somebody near me sits up, scrambles to his knees, and impulsively crawls toward the far aisle.

Pop-pop-pop…

“Bang, bang… you’re dead.” The voice comes from directly above me; it’s blank and monotone and controlled. The weird snicker that follows is chilling. I want nothing more than to throw the big guy off my back and run like hell toward the double doors, but I just keep on going with the short breaths and stay as still as I’ve ever been in my life. Even in my terrified state, I know that the guy on top of me is totally exposed and I can’t move because I’ll cheat him out of his life, for sure. Which is so not cool when he’s trying to save mine.

I smell blood. Never noticed the smell of blood before. It reminds me of Grandma’s penny collection… if it got spilled onto the sticky floor of the theater. The scent of old copper is everywhere… like wet pennies strewn all around me on the floor.

Pop-pop-pop…

Shooter’s right above us now. Don’t move… don’t move… don’t move….

“Dear God, help us!”  This request seems to catch the shooter’s attention and he turns around and steps away from us. I curse myself for feeling as relieved, and maybe even glad, as I do.

Pop-pop-pop….

We wait and it seems like forever. We wait as voices beg and plead and pray and he shuts them up with bullets. We wait as the sound of shots moves to the front left near the exit, where I figure he’s shooting at anyone who tries to get out through the double doors.

And then, for a second, it’s quiet.

“Now….” The big guy’s voice is whispering but it seems to blast into my left ear. “We have to make our move now.” Before I agree, the heaviness of his body lifts and I feel cold and exposed. “This is our chance to get outta here….”

His hand is attached to the back of my wrist, clutching me so hard that I know I’ll have fingerprint bruises for a week… if I live so long.

 

BFD_review

The Art of Hero WorshipThe Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m really not sure where to start with my review. I will say that this book is an absolute must read. The emotions in this story are completely overwhelming (if you read Clean, which is another must read by Ms. Kerick, this book is as emotionally powerful as that book).

Mia covers quite a few issues in this story. I’m going to try to touch each of them.

Let’s start with the opening scene – the shooting in the theatre. It is absolutely gruesome and heart-wrenching to get through. Stemming from the shooting we have familial grief from loss of loved ones, survivor’s guilt – not only for living but for not saving those that didn’t and fear of living – especially in Jason. My heart broke for Jason as he literally struggled to survive after the shooting.

Another issue tackled is 2 seemingly straight guys having feelings for each other and eventually falling in love with each other. There were a lot of ups and downs with this as both men came to terms with what that meant, including ignoring the labels and what others thought of them. There was quite a bit of backlash from friends about their relationship which can be crippling for young college men figuring out life in general. The dynamic between them was fascinating as they discovered how they felt about each other and how they fumbled through life after their discovery of these feelings. I would venture to say that there was a bit of codependency as well as the obvious hero worship but I really don’t think that negatively affects their relationship.

And the 3rd big issue revolves around Liam and his family. They were dysfunctional at best…and that may be too positive a term for what was going on with them. There was a tragedy suffered when Liam was young which made things even worse. I was literally shaking when I saw what was going on with them. I don’t want to spoil anything but for Liam to be as positive as he was after how he was treated is a testament to his strength of character.

Both characters go through more than anyone, especially kids their age, should ever have to survive. By the end of the book, they’re better but not 100% where they should be. This doesn’t mean the story needs to continue or is left hanging. It ends perfectly and can be left as a standalone…you just have to hope they will make it long term.

I have to say now that I’ve read Clean and this book, Ms. Kerick has her work cut out for her with any follow up books. I stand back in awe and wait…

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Meet the author:

Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—all named after saints—and five nonpedigreed cats—all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject.

Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled young men and their relationships, and she believes that sex has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to CoolDudes Publishing, Dreamspinner Press, Harmony Ink Press for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories.

Mia is proud of her involvement with the Human Rights Campaign and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mia.kerick

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Mia-KerickAuthor-231404220346244/

Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/Mia-KerickAuthor-231404220346244/

Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/bCLWfT

Website: www.miakerick.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6474518.Mia_Kerick

Amazon Author Page:

http://www.amazon.com/Mia-Kerick/e/B009KSTG9E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1410298098&sr=8-2

 

 

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28369581-the-art-of-hero-worship

Publisher: Cool Dudes Publishing

TAOHW Front Cover-1

 

TAOHW BACK COVER

 

Cover Artist: Louis C. Harris

 

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Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, The Jena Wade, Boys on the Brink Reviews, Kimi-Chan, Bayou Book Junkie, BFD Book Blog, The Hat Party, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Gay Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, MM Good Book Reviews, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, 3 Chicks After Dark, Kirsty Loves Books, V’s Reads, Alpha Book Club, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Happily Ever Chapter, Jessie G. Books, Velvet Panic, Book Lovers 4Ever, Caraway Carter, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Molly Lolly, Divine Magazine, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Love Bytes

 

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Rafflecopter Prize: $15 Amazon Gift Card
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5 Responses to Cover Reveal including Excerpt, Review & Giveaway – The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerick

  1. H.B. says:

    I think the only quality you need to be a hero is the willingness to want to help someone in need.

  2. mia Kerick says:

    Thank you so very much for welcoming me on your blog today for my cover reveal of The Art of Hero Worship!! I can’t wait to read the details of your review.

  3. Sara Ella says:

    This is a great looking book! Wow! I am excited to read this Mia!