Blog Tour—My Hero: The Olympian; by Max Vos – Author Interview and Giveaway
Today I got a chance to interview the always entertaining and somewhat larger than life, Max Vos as part of his My Here: The Olympian blog tour. Here’s your chance to learn a bit more about the man behind the books.
Welcome Max! Nice to finally get to have you sit down for an interview. Why don’t we begin by you start by telling everyone a bit about yourself.
I’m supposed to be retired… HA! I work harder now than when I worked full time. I now spend the majority of my time working on book related things. I love to travel and take one big trip a year. Next year… Europe.
Writing wasn’t your first ‘day’ job. What did you do before you were a full time writer?
I worked in the hospitality for almost 35 years. I was a Chef.
What was the first book you had published?
Full book was My Hero. I did a lot of short stories before that. They are now in Inappropriate Roads my own anthology.
Most of your published works are in the MM Romance Genre. Any plans to write something different any time soon?
No, I have no real plans to change genre’s. Write what you know, right?
Your latest book, My Hero: The Olympian is a sequel to your very popular My Hero. Before we discuss you latest book, tell us about the first one.
My Hero just kind of happened. The 2012 Olympics had just finished and football season was just getting ready to start. I wanted a good football story. It took on a life of its own and the what you have today is the end result.
I read on your blog that you were hesitant to write a sequl to My Hero. What made you pause and what changed your mind?
I had a dream about Johnny and Rich and woke up started writing. It was a long process. I stressed over this book more than anyother I’ve ever done.
Where did the inspiration for Johnny and Rich come from?
There was a player on the University of Tennesse that I thought was one of the best looking men I’d ever seen, he was my inspiration Rich reminded me of someone I went to school with.
What part of writing a sequel did you find the most difficult?
Almost everything. I second guessed myself a lot. I wanted to make sure that I did the characters justice and I wanted it to be as good as the first one.
Tell us something interesting that is not in the blurb?
One of the things that I found challenging was that the main characters were already an established couple. Here we get to see them grown into themselves as individuals but also as a strong couple.
What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
Coffee!
What’s your least favorite?
All the stuff that I have to do after I write The End.
Since there is always another story to tell, what are you working on now?
Yet something else that is different for me. It is a story of two men with PTSD but for completely different reasons.
What have you read lately that most people haven’t read but should?
I’ve been doing a beta read for a new author who is participating in NaNo. I’m loving it so far and I don’t really like shifter stories all that much.
If you could meet any writer, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Gordon Merrick. His was the first gay book I read. I’d really like to meet Armistead Maupin. I think he would be a hoot.
Besides reading and writing, what else do you enjoy?
Gardening. I love to play in the dirt.
Last question is all yours – feel free to talk about anything you want your readers to know about you, your book, anything at all.
What most people don’t know about me is that I’m really very shy. Big crowds scare the stuffin’ out of me.
Thank you, Max!
TITLE: My Hero: The Olympian
SERIES: My Hero Series #2
AUTHOR: Max Vos
COVER ARTIST: Alex J. Corza
LENGTH: 129,600 words approx.
RELEASE DATE: November 15, 2015
BLURB: After a romantic evening, Rich and Johnny face the light of day as a couple. Johnny’s coming out forces them to face some serious repercussions as the world of collegian jocks adjust to their first openly gay football player.
Rich is still working towards the World Diving Championships with his hopes and dreams set on the 2012 London Olympic Games, while as a couple they deal with concerns closer to home.
With the support of friends and family, the young couple grow closer together, but with prejudices and adversity at every turn will Johnny and Rich be able to tackle the world together?
No matter what, Rich will always be Johnny’s hero.
“No, I’m not going to and there is nothing you can say that will make me either.” Johnny crossed his arms, a defiant look on his face, his eyes narrowed slits.
“Oh come on, John, I wear them.” Rich held up the skimpy black racing briefs. “For me?”
Johnny looked away. “No. I said no and I mean no.”
Rich leaned in close to Johnny so only he could hear. “If you wear this, I can guarantee you some of the best sex in your life. If you think I get turned on by jock straps…”
Johnny glared down at Rich. “You don’t play fair.”
“Wasn’t it you who recently said that all is fair in love and war?” Rich smirked as he dangled the tiny briefs in front of Johnny.
“It better be the best ever.” Johnny let his arms drop. “Okay. But you promised.”
Again, Rich leaned in close. “Maybe even join the mile high club.”
Johnny’s eyebrows shot up and a grin blossomed on his face. “Deal.”
“Are we done here?” Dan called to the two college men. He was standing at the counter, credit card in hand.
“One more thing, Dad.” Rich hurried over to him. “This.”
Dan raised his eyebrows slightly. “Oookay then.”
Rich snickered when he saw Johnny blushing.
“I think this will be all,” Dan said to the clerk.
“I’m going to give you a discount,” the young woman said as she rang it up. “It isn’t every day that we can say an Olympian wore some of our gear.”
“I’m not an Olympian yet,” Rich commented.
“Rich Miller, I’ve known you my entire life, and if anyone is going to be an Olympian, it’s you.” Michelle Stubbon smiled at Rich as she started putting the pile of swimsuits, track suits, shorts, and other things that he and Johnny needed for London in a bag.
“Thanks, Michelle. I appreciate the confidence everyone has in me.”
“Just remember us lowly folk when you come home with Olympic gold,” she laughed as she handed Dan the receipt.
Max Vos is the bestselling author of My Hero. He is loved by his readers for his ‘inappropriate’ side, bringing hot and steamy sex to his writing. Not hemmed in by a single genre Max has the ability to woo you with sweet romance, move you with the power of his words and make you question your definition of love.
Having retired in 2011 after more than 30 years as a chef, Max turned his creativity to writing. You can always find wonderful Southern charm, well rounded and vibrant characters with a good meaty story line in a Max Vos book. Each book will give you something new and amazing to love.
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Winner’s Prize: E-copies of My Hero and My Hero: The Olympian
Runner Up’s Prize: E-copy of My Hero: The Olympian
November 15: Bike Book Reviews
November 16: The Purple Rose Tea House || Nic Starr
November 17: The Land of Make Believe || Rainbow Gold Reviews
November 18: Carly’s Book Reviews
November 19: Cia’s Stories || Drops of Ink
November 20: Love Bytes Reviews || Hearts on Fire
November 23: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words || Draven St. James
November 24: Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents
November 25: Bayou Book Junkie
November 26: Divine Magazine
November 27: Jackie’s Book Reviews
November 30: Gale Stanley
December 1: Daydream Believer Book
December 2: Garrett Leigh || Amanda C. Stone
December 3: The Novel Approach || The Hat Party
December 4: Sue Brown || Jessie G Books
December 7: Diverse Reader
December 8: Man2ManTastic || MM Good Book Reviews
December 9: BFD Book Blog
December 10: Gay.Guy.Reading And Friends
December 11: TTC Books and More || Foxylutely Books
December 14: Louise Lyons || Gay Media Reviews
December 15: Loving Without Limits
Sounds great.
Love the excerpt!
Max, I wish you much success in the My Hero sequel. I loved the excerpt. And may I say that is quite a book tour schedule that you have there. Good luck!
This sounds like a series I would enjoy.