The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerick Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

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Hi guys, we have Mia Kerick stopping by with the tour for her new release The Art of Hero Worship, we have a great guest post, a tantalizing excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Lisa’s review, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~

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The Art of Hero Worship

by

Mia Kerick

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.

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Guest Post

Hello, and thank you so much for welcoming me to your blog today as I promote my new release, The Art of Hero Worship, and adult LGBTQ Contemporary Romance.

I chose “Superman” by Five for Fighting as a song to articulate my theme in The Art of Hero Worship because it is the story of a hero, like Superman—a hero who is tired and weary and, somewhere deep inside, wants to be human and fall apart. The song “Superman” points out that even heroes need to have a chance to be vulnerable to their pain—to cry and to bleed. Inside Liam, the story’s main hero, is a man who is very different from the image he projects. Both The Art of Hero Worship and the song “Superman” illustrate that even heroes grow tired and lose faith and doubt themselves.

I can’t stand to fly

I’m not that naïve

I’m just out to find

The better part of me

~

I’m more than a bird,

I’m more than a plane

I’m more than some pretty face beside a train

It’s not easy to be me

~

I wish that I could cry

Fall upon my knees

Find a way to lie

‘Bout a home I’ll never see

~

It may sound absurd but don’t be naïve

Even heroes have the right to bleed

I may be disturbed but won’t you concede

Even heroes have the right to dream

And it’s not easy to be me

~

Up, up and away, away from me

Well, it’s alright

You can all sleep sound tonight

I’m not crazy or anything

~

I can’t stand to fly

I’m not that naïve

Men weren’t meant to ride

With clouds between their knees

~

I’m only a man in a silly red sheet

Digging for kryptonite on this one way street

Only a man in a funny red sheet

Looking for special things inside of me

Inside of me, inside of me [2x]

~

I’m only a man in a funny red sheet

I’m only a man looking for a dream

I’m only a man in a funny red sheet

And it’s not easy.

It’s not easy to be me.

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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.

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About Mia

Mia Kerick Bio PictureMia 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:

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Twitter | Facebook | Clean Facebook Page | Mia Kerick Author Facebook Page | Newsletter Sign Up

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Giveaway!

Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

(Just click the link below)

Mia Kerick Rafflecopter giveaway!

(Ends 4th March 2016)
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Review

51Tf83dnGCL._SX312_BO1,204,203,200_Title: The Art of Hero Worship

Author: Mia Kerick

Genre: New Adult/ Romantic Suspense

Length: 181 pages

ISBN: 9781311511614

Publisher: Cool Dudes Publishing (February 14, 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

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.

Product Link(s): http://www.cooldudespublishing.com/tb-books/coming-your-way-in-january-2016/the-art-of-hero-worship/ | https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/606912 | http://amzn.to/1QeHC3l

Review: I have only read one or two books by this author and I must say that she has a blare about her stories. Although I am not one for teenagers or even college students in stories because they just don’t seem to come off the way many stories should. I also don’t like characters who are not gay then all of a sudden they are having sexual relations. It just doesn’t come off like what would happen in real life so for me this story was a mixture of many feelings.

Jason is watching a play with his girlfriend when some nut case student starts shooting. Jason was saved by Liam but his girlfriend didn’t make it. They form a bond that strengthens through time but Jason is still having a bit of troubles with it all. He had never had any plans or ideas of being with another guy but Liam is his hero.

Liam has such a horrible past and it leads him into his hero ways. He feels like he is making up for past mistakes by saving Jason. However he also has feelings growing for Jason and he wants to follow through with it all. The problem is he keeps trying to save others and it makes things difficult for them both.

Now with this Liam comes off more as a stalker and kind of creepy in a way. Whereas Jason comes off a bit of a wimp and off. Now the shooting was horrible and Mia wrote it with such a perfect direction that one would feel like they were right there. It was amazing the way it came off. I also loved how the guys dealt with the backlash of negative feelings from friends and family. Other than my problems with it the story was well written and fully developed. It was a good story and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

It caught my attention from the start but unfortunately my attention wavered quite a bit so for me it wasn’t a win for me. I would like to say though that you can tell right off the bat that this author put her heart into her story and I would definitely recommend it.

However it really wasn’t for me.

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Check out the other blogs on the blog tour

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8 thoughts on “The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerick Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

  1. Looks like a great read to me! To answer the question of the raffle I’d have to say my hero is my daughter. She is taking life by the horns and going full out. No one is going to tell her what she can’t do. Love it!

  2. This story looks amazing and heartbreaking. I can’t wait to read it.
    My hero is my mom. She’s been gone for almost 19 years, but I will always wish I could be as strong and wonderful as she always was. She succeeded after having me as a teenager, became an RN, and fought like hell to beat cancer. I am such a wimp compared to her, and I will always be grateful that she was the mom I was blessed with.

  3. Congratulations on the new release, Mia. I guess my hero is my mun, she’s amazing, she worked and raised kids, and looked after two grannies, and managed the house… I do not know how she did it, but she did, and does, a great work about it!!!

  4. My idea of a hero is the every day person who does what needs to be done to make life better for others. They may be scared but they still step forward to do what is right and in some cases make the ultimate sacrifice to save others. The people who care and love, without games or expectations other than for others to treat them fairly and hopefully love them back.

  5. On behalf of Alpha Book Club,
    Thank you so much for hosting the release blitz and supporting Mia Kerick on her release of The Art of Hero Worship, it’s greatly appreciated.

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