Cover Reveal & Giveaway for the Re-release of Love Spell by Mia Kerrick

Title: Love Spell

Author: Mia Kerick

Re-Release Date: August 27th 2018

Published by: Ninestar Press

Genre: Young Adult, LGBT

BLURB

Having come to terms with being gay, Chance César is still uneasy with his gender identity, or, as he phrases it, “being stuck in the gray area between girl and boy.” This concern, however, doesn’t stop him from strutting his fabulous stuff on the catwalk in black patent leather pumps and a snug-in-all-the-right (wrong)-places orange tuxedo as the winner of this year’s Miss (ter) Harvest Moon Festival at the local Beans and Greens Farm’s annual fall celebration, serenaded by the enthusiastic catcalls of his BFF, Emily Benson. Although he refuses to visually fade into the background of his rural New Hampshire town, Chance is socially invisible—except when being tormented or beat up by familiar bullies. But when Chance, the Harvest Moon Festival’s mockingly-elected Pumpkin Pageant Queen, meets Jasper Donahue (Jazz), the legitimate winner of the Pumpkin Carving King contest, sparks fly. Chance wants to be noticed and admired and romantically embraced by Jazz, in all of his neon orange-haired glory.

And so at a sleepover, Chance and Emily conduct intense research on their laptop computers, and come up with an article in an online women’s magazine called “Ten Scientifically Proven Ways to Make a Man Fall in Love with You.” Along with a bonus love spell thrown in for good measure, it becomes the basis of their strategy to capture Jazz’s heart.

Quirky, comical, definitely “sickening” (this is a good thing), and with an inner core of poignancy, Love Spell celebrates the diversity of a gender-fluid teen.

 What reviewers are saying about LOVE SPELL ~

“Kerick devotes most of the book to sassy fun and first-love desire, but her depiction of the loneliness caused by apathetic parents, the insecurity of extra pounds, the stress of college applications, the meanness of bullies, the importance of forgiveness, and especially the uneasiness of being “stuck in the gray area between girl and boy” make this novel thoroughly enjoyable. The book not only hits upon all manner of teenage angst, but also on the significance of true family values and on the joys of such simple pleasures as high–thread-count sheets, sharing homemade pizza, and playing card games instead of “head games” on a Friday night. The characters are memorable and the dialogue is consistently bright and believable, featuring authentic-sounding teenspeak. The author even defines Chance’s invented vocabulary words (such as “Randatorbs” and “Dooza-palooza”) in a back-of-the-book glossary for readers who can’t keep up.

A comical, thought-provoking YA novel for those who believe in the magic of love without all the hocus-pocus.” - Kirkus Reviews (2015)

Buy Link

NineStarPress

About the Author

Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—a daughter in law school, another in dance school, a third studying at Mia’s alma mater, Boston College, and her lone son still in high school. She writes LGBTQ romance when not editing National Honor Society essays, offering opinions on college and law school applications, helping to create dance bios, and reviewing English papers. Her husband of twenty-four years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about this, as it is a sensitive subject.

Mia focuses her stories on emotional growth in turbulent relationships. As she has a great affinity for the tortured hero, there is, at minimum, one in each book. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with tales of said 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 Dreamspinner Press and Harmony Ink Press for providing alternate places to stash her stories.

Her books have won a Best YA Lesbian Rainbow Award, a Reader Views’ Book by Book Publicity Literary Award, the Jack Eadon Award for Best Book in Contemporary Drama, an Indie Fab Award, and a Royal Dragonfly Award for Cultural Diversity, among other awards.

Mia is a Progressive, a little bit too obsessed by politics, and cheers for each and every victory in the name of human rights. 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.

Contact Mia at miakerick@gmail.com. Visit her website for updates on what is going on in Mia’s world, rants, music, parties, and pictures, and maybe even a little bit of inspiration.

Links: Facebook | Twitter

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Mia Kerrick's SCARRED, blog tour and giveaway

Title: Scarred

Author: Mia Kerick

Release Date: March 1st 2017

Genre: Adult, Gay Romance, LGBT

BLURB

From bestselling author Mia Kerick comes a New Adult Gay Romance that will keep you up reading all night!

Matthew North waited ten years to heal from the devastating wounds inflicted by the man who abducted and abused him as a child. Living reclusively on a tropical island—with no company but his four cats—he merely avoids the lingering pain.

Wearing twisted ropes of mutilated skin on his back, Matt struggles with a profound hindrance—the scars that deaden his soul. However, on the night he meets lively Vedie Wilson, a local restaurant busboy who expresses his gender by wearing lipgloss and eyeliner along with his three-day beard, things change.

Gradually, Vedie and Mateo unite in friendship. Through a series of awkward encounters, the pair learns each other’s secrets. Vedie learns that an angelic face can front for a scarred soul. Matthew learns that the line between one’s masculine and feminine sides is blurred. Can they embrace the painful stories behind each other’s scars if they’re to find everlasting love? Or will surrendered love come to be yet another blemish on their souls?

Find Scarred on Goodreads

EXCERPT

Matt

Seeing this kid cry slices easily through my thick skin and I don’t like it one bit. There’s a heart somewhere under all of the armor I wear, and I like to keep it under wraps. But what’s most fucked-up about this situation is that less than two hours ago we were complete strangers not exactly enjoying a friendly interaction.

When he came to my table, he’d asked, “Yo, what you drinkin’, man?” I guess I must have looked at him cross-eyed because I didn’t recognize him as a regular worker at The Only Tiki Hut on Placida Island. And I should know; I’ve eaten dinner here several nights a week for the past decade. He got right on my case. “What’s your friggin’ problem? I asked you real nice, seein’ as it’s my job and shit!”

It was as if he’d read my mind when he sized up my expression, which made me shiver because nobody knows what I’m thinking, and I like it that way. “Just water,” I’d told him and then I stared out over the beach, craning my neck like I was watching for somebody even though there’s never been anybody for me to watch for.

He hadn’t liked being ignored, so he’d started to play the smart-ass, a part that he’s very good at. “Sorry, big dawg, the lady’s a no-show. You gonna have to fill your bed with somebody new tonight, looks like.” He actually waggled his eyebrows.

“Guess today’s not my lucky day, because I’m planning to sleep alone,” I told him and meant it.

“It can be your lucky day if you play your cards right, my man.” He let go of the tray with one hand, dropped his palm onto my shoulder, and squeezed. “You ain’t gotta be lonely tonight if you don’t—what the fuck, man!”

I’d already jumped to my feet and practically stomped on the guy. “Hands off, asshole.”

“I get it, big dawg, so chill.”  The kid pulled back his hand and released a long sigh, like he knew he’d broken one of his own rules by grabbing me. “I’ll get my dumbass hand offa your badass shoulder, if you sit your ass back down on that chair.” And after another sigh, he said, “Not gonna push the issue, man. Just offerin’ you some company on a long, hot, lonely night.”

Purchase: 

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Cool Dudes Publishing

About the Author

Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—one in law school, another in dance school, a third in school at Mia’s alma mater, Boston College, and her lone son still in high school. (Mia is a major fan of the learning process!) She writes LGBTQ romance when not editing National Honor Society essays, offering opinions on college and law school applications, helping to create dance bios, and reviewing English papers. Her husband of twenty-three years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about this, as it is a sensitive subject.

Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled young people and their relationships. She has a great affinity for the tortured hero. There is, at minimum, one of these in each book. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with tales of said 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, and Evernight Publishing for providing her with alternate places to stash her stories.

A social liberal, Mia cheers for each and every victory made in the name of human rights. 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.

Links: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads

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Cover Reveal for Scarred by Mia Kerick + Win a $10 Amazon giftcard

Title: Scarred

Author: Mia Kerick

Release Date: March 1st 2017

Genre: New Adult, Gay Romance

BLURB

From bestselling author Mia Kerick comes a New Adult Gay Romance that will keep you up reading all night!

Matthew North waited ten years to heal from the devastating wounds inflicted by the man who abducted and abused him as a child. Living reclusively on a tropical island—with no company but his four cats—he merely avoids the lingering pain.

Wearing twisted ropes of mutilated skin on his back, Matt struggles with a profound hindrance—the scars that deaden his soul. However, on the night he meets lively Vedie Wilson, a local restaurant busboy who expresses his gender by wearing lipgloss and eyeliner along with his three-day beard, things change.

Gradually, Vedie and Mateo unite in friendship. Through a series of awkward encounters, the pair learns each other’s secrets. Vedie learns that an angelic face can front for a scarred soul. Matthew learns that the line between one’s masculine and feminine sides is blurred. Can they embrace the painful stories behind each other’s scars if they’re to find everlasting love? Or will surrendered love come to be yet another blemish on their souls?

EXCERPT

VEDIE

“Hot damn! Who be dat fine lady?” Joey knows I ain’t a lady, and I wish he’d shut his trap, but I don’t tell him so. I turn my head away and roll my eyes twice as I head past the bar. “Who’s the lucky guy who’s gonna get some of dat tonight?”

“Ain’t gonna be you, Joey.” And sure, maybe I say it out loud, but not loud enough for him to hear, ‘cause I don’t want to piss him off. Pissed-off dudes can be dangerous.

I only been working here a week-and-a-day now, but I’m pretty sure my coworkers are cool with the way I dress. At work, I gotta wear my green Tiki Hut T-shirt and tan shorts, just like everybody else. But I don’t hide my lady side down here on Placida Island, and I ain’t never gonna hide her again. The sad fact is, the way I show the world who I am is all fucked-up. But it is what it is, and that’s why I ain’t never goin’ back to Boston—I can’t go back up there and be me. Not if I wanna live to see another day, and shit.

“Ain’t you people never seen a boy dressed up nice and pretty before?” I shout it back over my shoulder, flashing a big grin, knowing that my lips look good, all shiny and red.

“Vedie, have yourself a good evening!” one of the ladies calls out. I smile inside ‘cause I think my coworkers like really me. I ain’t used to being liked just the way I am. Maybe anything goes on this tropical island in the middle of freakin’ nowhere.

I look around to see if Crazy Matt is lurking around the bar. Crazy Matt—that’s the name all of the waiters at The Only Tiki Hut gave to this gorgeous, but pissed-off-looking customer I made a play for earlier tonight. I actually leaned down and whispered into his ear, “Take me home tonight, Mateo.” I like how Mateo sounds way better than Crazy Matt, and it’s pretty much the same damn name, at least it is in my neck of the woods.

I didn’t stop and wait for his answer ‘cause I know it don’t work that way with guys like him. If Mateo wants to hook up with me, he’ll make it happen. If he don’t want it, there ain’t nothin’ on God’s green earth that I can do to make him change his mind. But I reminded him real clear that I was one of his options, and then I’d moved on.

Pre-Order: Amazon US | Amazon UK

About the Author

Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—one in law school, another in dance school, a third in school at Mia’s alma mater, Boston College, and her lone son still in high school. (Mia is a major fan of the learning process!) She writes LGBTQ romance when not editing National Honor Society essays, offering opinions on college and law school applications, helping to create dance bios, and reviewing English papers. Her husband of twenty-three years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about this, as it is a sensitive subject.

Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled young people and their relationships. She has a great affinity for the tortured hero. There is, at minimum, one of these in each book. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with tales of said 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, and Evernight Publishing for providing her with alternate places to stash her stories.

A social liberal, Mia cheers for each and every victory made in the name of human rights. 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.

Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads

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Mia Kerick tells us what she thinks make great author gifts.

Hello, I’m Mia Kerick and I’m here today to promote the release of my Adult LGBTQ contemporary romance titled The Art of Hero Worship. This is my 16th book so I’m qualified to suggest best gifts for an author!!! And here they are…

TOP TEN GIFTS FOR YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR

10. Aqua Notes- Authors get their best ideas in the shower!!

9. Comfy pants- working from the couch doesn’t require a pleated skirt!

8. Hand massage- all of that typing can be hard on an author’s digits. Give some relief!

7. Just the right coffee mug—there is no better gift for a coffee-drinking writer.

7. A T-shirt with fair warning for friends and family.

6. Vintage Leather laptop case—the author will want to take his writing everywhere!


5. Take it from me, authors go through lots of chocolate in the editing process.

4. A Jane Austen charm bracelet is a perfect touch of bling for a writer.

3. Sign your writer friend up for a Tea-of-the-Month Club!!

2. And a creative typewriter teapot to go with  #3.

 

1. Top gift for the author in your life- Jane Austen Action Figure. See that feather pen? See that notepad? Putting them together will be the sum of the action!!

Book Blast and Giveaway for The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerrick.

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,

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.

Buy the book:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Art-Hero-Worship-Mia-Kerick-ebook/dp/B01ABCB73U/ref=sr_1_1

AllRomance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theartofheroworship-1967344-145.html

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://twitter.com/MiaKerick

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

Cover Artist: Louis C. Harris

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Mikky's World of Books, Jessie G. Books, TTC Books and More, Bayou Book Junkie, Happily Ever Chapter, Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Inked Rainbow Reads, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Louise Lyons, Unquietly Me, Bonkers About Books, MM Good Book Reviews, Velvet Panic, Kirsty Loves Books, The Hat Party, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Molly Lolly, Cheekypee Reads and Reviews

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Pre Release Day Review of The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerrick

The Art of Hero Worship by Mia Kerrick 4*

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.

My Review: ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.  

At one point I thought this was going to be a DNF but as you can see I ended up giving it 4*.   You might be asking yourself how on earth can you give a DNF worthy book  4*'s.   Well I answer with 'I should have waited!' 

See this book opens on a very traumatic scene that gets the reader very involved with both of the MCs but then (for me ) it seemed to be fizzling out. I put it down and read a few other books and then this morning I picked it back up to give it another go. Best decision I have made lately. I reread the chapter I had stopped on and the next thing I  knew  I was closing the book (figuratively as it was an ebook ;)) with a happy sigh at the end of an emotional roller-coaster read.  This book is full of raw emotion and  a dark grittiness that might not be to everyone's taste but I say take my example and, if you can't get into it, wait a while and try again. You will be thankful.