Mia Kerick

The kids of Baker Street grew up playing together to the fanciful games thought up by Joey Kinkaid. Joey was called the Princess of Baker Street since his games often included Joey in a princess dress being rescued by his best friend, Eric Sinclair. Now, the kids of Baker Street are in Eighth grade and things have changed, the four friends have found themselves in separate cliques. Eric has opted for the route of survival, especially since is mom isn't often around. Eric hangs around with show more his friends on the soccer team. Joey doesn't exactly fit in anywhere, he would much rather wear his mother's dresses to school than the button up shirts and slacks that his father insists on. When Eric and Joey are paired as study buddies, their friendship rekindles. However, when Joey begins to show up to school in girl's clothing, Eric's allegiance is divided between his friends and his need to fly under the radar.

Timely and relevant, The Princess of Baker Street reaches into the awkward, transitional years of middle school for a group of students, including the Joey who is realizing that he has always been a girl. Told through Eric's point of view, the voices are sincere and realistic for eighth graders. Everyone seems very self-concerned and are worried about where they will fit in. Eric's journey is just as important as Joey's. I felt for Joey as he dealt with an absent mother and the decision to be Joey's friend even if it would cost his popularity. Eric's struggle with his feelings for Joey as he slowly comprehends that not only is Joey a girl, but that he has always seen Joey as a girl as well- a girl that he likes. With these understandings comes big changes and responsibilities. Not all of the changes are handled very well by everyone and reinforces that none of these issues should be handled by the kids by themselves. Insightful and pertinent, The Princess of Baker Street is an important and heartfelt read that can be enjoyed by middle grade through adult readers.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less

A couple of cute guys (a promiscuous rock musician and a troubled artist) involved in an angsty romance? After reading the blurb on the back of Mia Kerick’s latest novel, I had only three words to say, “sign me up.”

In brief, it tells the story of Kai, a young musician who uses music to reach out to Jamie, a troubled waiter at the coffee shop where he performs. At first blush, it would seem that the character who undergoes the most dramatic transformation over the course of the story is show more the standoffish Jamie, who must overcome serious emotional damage from years of sexual abuse at the hands of his stepbrother, Evan. But upon more careful scrutiny, one can see that it’s Kai who grows and matures the most. He starts out an arrogant, irresponsible playboy and ends up a caring, mature and devoted lover. Their slow burning romance is one of the story’s chief attractions and, if you like a good hurt-comfort yarn, you will not be disappointed here.

But it isn’t only her two leads that fascinate. All of Kerick’s characters are fairly well defined and distinctive. I especially enjoyed Kai’s hippie family; his older brother Chuck, in particular. As a matter of fact, it would have been nice to see his part expanded a bit so the reader could know more about his own life beyond merely the relationship with his brother and Jamie. And of course there’s the musical element, which is at the very heart of the tale. It’s clear Kerick is a music lover, as evidenced by the carefully curated selection of modern pop tunes she’s chosen for Kai’s “musical intervention.” As a music lover myself, as well as a pop-culture fan in general, this proved to be one of the book’s most entertaining elements. It helps if you’re familiar with the multitude of songs referenced here, but most of them are so popular it’s likely that the average reader will know at least some, if not all, of them.

Since I generally tend to avoid romance fiction, I was (as always) somewhat put off by the overabundance of corny, adoring exchanges between Kerick’s protagonists, [believe me, there’s enough schmaltz here to make a mountain of matzoh balls!]. I'd go as far as to say half of those scenes could easily be cut without damaging the story as a whole. But that well-worn romance trope was mercifully offset by the darker themes explored through Jamie’s relationship with Evan. And, be warned, it gets very dark indeed.

But caveats aside, I believe that readers of M/M Romance and Gay YA will most assuredly be charmed by Intervention. show less

I'm a big fan of Mia Kerick who is a whiz at developing troubled characters who find common ground and fall in love unexpectedly. I'm Not In Love is the first book in the Don't Let Go series and it epitomizes the hurt/comfort genre, meaning it "involves the physical pain or emotional distress of one character, who is cared for by another character".

Julian (Remi) Remington III is an heir to a hotel chain and "indulges in meaningful art and meaningless sex". Spying his next mark in his live show more drawing class, he starts planning his next seduction but the joke is on him. The beautiful man with dazzling eyes and devotion to his family has penetrated Remi's defenses.

Tristan Wilder is a nude model who earns money to support his unemployed twin sister and his niece and nephews. His professionalism is beyond reproach as he spots the hot artist giving him the once over. He doesn't have time for a relationship. He needs to work and pay the bills, his artist is hiding a lot of hurt, and Tristan doesn't do well with unstable impulses, so what makes this man so different?

I love the rich man/poor man trope as well as watching two opposites attract. These two beautiful men couldn't be more different. Remi comes from money. Tristan lives paycheck to paycheck. Remi is cocky and immature. Tristan is controlled and responsible. Tristan and his family bring out the humanity in Remi as he is introduced to a functioning family as opposed to his cold and unloving upbringing by his controlling grandmother and hen-pecked grandfather. Remi's tragic loss of his parents creates his fear of loss hence his one-night stands and lack of relationships. Tristan is so dedicated to his sister and niece and nephews and I admire his work ethic. It is eye-opening how nude modeling can take its toll on your muscles and strength especially considering how many gigs Tristan poses in a day. Tristan's past with his mother is tenuous at best knowing he cannot depend on her sticking around so his doubts about Remi are valid considering Remi can't make up his mind about them. There are so many emotional scenes in this book that ring true and I love how Tristan and Remi work out their differences to become a loving family.

Tristan's family is adorable as they all stick together. It's no wonder Remi falls for all of them.

I highly recommend this emotional and captivating story filled with loveable characters.

Thank you to Ms. Kerick for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review. show less

The cover drew me to this fantastic book which I now see so masterfully captures Van’s sad and fearful eyes. Then from page 1, I was sucked into the story with no turning back.

I just don’t understand why he can’t see how frightening I am. You can see it, can’t you? …I’m a damned cold human being, at home, at school, and here at my part-time job.

Donovan Liss (Van) is a character you will never forget. He thinks his loneliness is disguised through his scarecrow fashion, his dark show more persona and sarcastic and catty comments at his co-workers and his family, but that fry cook, George C., seems to see through Van’s facade.

I’m a gay, homeless adult teenager. I have no family to speak of. I have a low-level fry cook job only because Nikki took pity on me when she found me sleeping on the bench on the sidewalk in front of her apartment building.

But let’s not forget the unforgettable George C. Another lonely young man running from his past believing no one will forgive him or love him for what he’s done. Van has given him a place to stay, but George C. can’t keep his secret forever.

How can I express how much I LOVE this book? It’s a wonderful love story between two lost souls who give each other peace and understanding. It’s also about finding friendship in the most unexpected places and forgiving those who have wronged us.

I couldn’t put this book down! Mia Kerick is an in-your-face writer who has her characters interact with the reader so one experiences the emotions and environment directly. Enough said. I’m her newest fan, and I’m adding another favorite book to my 2019 review list!

I want to say kudos to Ms. Kerick for donating her book proceeds to True Colors United. A great way to donate to a good cause as well as celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month! Her award-winning books speak for themselves.

Thank you to the author, NineStar Press, and Xpresso Book Tours for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectations of a positive review given. show less