It was 1988 and Karin had arrived in Melbourne on the first step of her lifelong dream to travel overseas, find excitement and maybe even romance. The path to that dream took an unexpected twist when, only hours after arriving, she met Jim. A devastatingly handsome rock star and music legend, Jim Keays fell instantly in love when he opened his front door to the beautiful young woman from the Gold Coast.
IT’S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU is the story of Karin Keays’ real-life rock and roll romance and possibly the first such book to be written from the unique perspective of a woman who has lived and worked for 35 years in the inner sanctum of rock and roll royalty.
A gripping read that is at times vastly amusing, fascinating, insightful, and deeply tragic, it is the story of a fairy-tale life that goes suddenly and shockingly wrong, turning into a nightmare of maternal loss and grief.
Set amidst the dizzying highs and devastating lows of life in the Australian music industry,Karin’s is an inspirational story of healing and redemption woven throughout a true love story for all time.
PRAISE FOR IT’S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU
“Jim’s private life was also a battle for heroes. Here, his wife Karin Keays details the patchwork quilt that was his heritage and how he respected that while proving his love for his own family as he contested the fates time and again.” – Alan Howe, The Australian
“Karin’s story is deeply personal…it is a journey worth taking with her – at times very painful, with a helplessness attached – however, her spirit, along with her enduring positive vision for her future, is inspiring.” – Russell Morris AM
“When I was able to read the manuscript, nothing prepared me for the story of Billy Keays. This is the story of a mother’s love, her heartache and quest for the truth. With no agenda other than to find out what happened to her son, Karin proceeded to question the system and those we put our trust in. It is an incredulous story… one I urge you to read.” – Gaynor Wheatley