
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.
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.
Guest Post with Author Mia Kerrick
'The Reason'
Music has been an important inspirational source as I’ve forged my way through 16 books. Poignant songs that illustrate emotional struggle best represent the music I listened to while writing The Art of Hero Worship. “The Reason” by Hoobastank best reflects the theme of enduring personal change in the interest of maintaining a relationship. “The Reason” is a song about making personal change because of regret over hurting someone significant. The singer expresses that he is not perfect, and admits to making a serious mistake that hurt a person he loves. However, his intense feelings of regret over having hurt this person provide the motivation for significant personal change.
In The Art of Hero Worship, Jason is at first unable to make the necessary changes in his life that would allow him to be with Liam as a partner. Seeing the way he has hurt Liam by ignoring him, provides the reason to make changes that allow him to accept Liam in his life. Later in the book, Liam hurts Jason, as well. Jason’s love provides him with the reason to change the way he has been living, too. And though the men hurt each other, their intense regret and singular love for one another provides the motivation to do the work necessary to stay together.
I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why I need you to hear
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You
and the reason is You [x3]
I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
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.
Tour
Dates & Stops:
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Thank you so much for the opportunity to show your readers The Art of Hero Worship! And I love the song "The Reason"- it really reveals the essence of my novel!!
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