Shae Kinnon always knew his role as the frontman of glam rock band Spicy Hyena came with rules, but he didn’t know it meant losing himself.
Shae is everything Robert Courtenay is not – unattainable, beguiling and mysterious with looks and a voice to die for. In Shae, Robert created the perfect rock star and fulfilled his lifelong dream of creating a successful rock act.
After four years, Shae is done with being Robert's puppet. He is lonely, homesick and tired of pretending to be someone he is not. When Shae falls in love, he sees his chance to break free, but a public romance threatens everything Robert has built over the years, and Robert is not ready to let go yet…
Rock Star Syndrome is a dazzling portrayal of life in a manufactured band by award-winning musical fiction author Pamela Harju.
“If only he could get some sort of personality out of Shae, except that of an awkward introvert who least of all needed or deserved a crowd. Looking the part wasn’t enough. Even after Mona dressed him and did his hair and make-up so that he looked like a star, Shae didn’t come out of his shell. Mystery was all well and good in interviews, but on stage, he needed to be energetic and hold the audience in the palms of his hands.
Robert had never been so nervous in his life. It was make or break time.”
““Do you want me?”
He realises belatedly that the question carries an innuendo. He meant to ask her if his presence was needed somewhere, but he went into Shae Kinnon mode and placed a sexual proposition instead. It happens on tour; Shae takes over and Hannes disappears into the background.”
“The curtain twitched. The words Spicy and Hyena split to reveal the show’s main attraction – heck, the main attraction of almost anything, ever.
Shae Kinnon stood in a spotlight in front of the backdrop of the massive face of a hyena, the band’s logo, dressed in tight black jeans and a glittery silver jacket left open to show off his physique.
There was no timidness, no insecurity, no hesitation. He was 100% rock star with music in his blood, showmanship in his bones and sex appeal on his skin.”