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About Blackbird by Mia Kerick
Title: Blackbird
Author: Mia Kerick
Series: If I Fell #2
Genre: LGBTQ+ Contemporary Romance
Sequel to Hide Your Love Away (If I Fell Series, book 2)
Timmy and Cole’s angsty love story continues…
Last year, in Timmy Hale’s junior year at Edgewater University, he set his romantic sights on Colton “Cole” Ledger—a burly and sometimes over-protective dormitory maintenance man. Cole soon had it bad for sleek and snarky Timmy too, and—despite a bumpy road (a frenzied stalker and an uncooperative son)—before year’s end they’d found love. Now, in Timmy’s senior year, the couple has left the dormitory behind. Cole is back to running his own custom construction company, and they’ve turned an antique Victorian home into a love nest. For a while, life is good.
But insta-love comes at a cost, and for Timmy and Cole it’s steep. Cole’s doubts haunt him: he’s almost certain he’s too old for Timmy, and that he’s pushing him into a life he’ll eventually resent, keeping him from spreading his newfound wings and taking flight toward his best future. Acting on his fears, Cole pressures Timmy to accept an internship in Manhattan—far from the home they’ve built together. He means well, but Timmy feels like a baby bird kicked out of the nest too soon.
Tensions rise until fear, resentment, and desire draw Timmy and Cole into explosive conflict. When the dust settles, will Timmy wing away like a young blackbird, or return to nest with Cole in their happy garden home?
Stay tuned for Book 3 in the IF I FELL Series, Come Together, coming in January, 2022.
Excerpt from Blackbird
© 2021
Julia Kent
Cole
Then the body in the bed rolls over in the direction of the door, and I see Timmy’s face. Not the same face I last saw—he’s pale and gaunt with dark rings encircling his eyes.
Although I’m shocked by the sight of him, the last thing I want to do is to shock him. So, I speak softly, “Timmy, wake up.”
His lashes flutter, and then his red rimmed eyes pop open and focus on me. “Fuck—I’m either dead or dreaming.”
“You’re very much alive…and awake.” I try to smile. “Want me to pinch you to prove it?”
“It…it might help.”
I step over to the bed. “May I sit down?”
“I guess.”
I perch my ass on the edge and administer a quick pinch to his upper arm.
“Okay, so I’m not dreaming. You’re really here. Now tell me why.” His breath reeks of stale whiskey.
No sooner has he issued his demand than he’s shoving me off the bed.
“Trash can—now!”
I jump to my feet, grab the trash can, and hold it beneath his face. Timmy proceeds to lose everything in his belly.
When he’s done, he falls back onto the bed. “I owe this Greg-dude a new waste basket.”
“I’ll take care of it. And I’ll pay for a thorough cleaning of his room.” It smells like a brewery in here, and God knows when the bedding was last changed. “But that’s the least of your worries right now.”
“I don’t get why you’re here, Cole.”
“I’m here because you need me.” And I need you.
Timmy shrugs and mumbles a predictable, “Whatever.”
“You’re coming with me. We’re gonna go somewhere you can get back on your feet without an audience.” No Robbie, EJ, Landon, or Beverly.
“No can do…Gotta work tomorrow.”
I shake my head. “Timmy, I don’t know how you feel about me at this point. And right now, I don’t much care because I’m pretty sure that, at a minimum, you still trust me to do right by you. No matter how much I screwed up. Will you come with me?”
He swallows hard and again reaches for the trash can. This time it’s a false alarm. “I…uh, don’t think I can get out of bed.”
“I’ll help you. My truck is right outside.”
“You drove here to save my sorry ass?” “I did.” And I should have done it weeks ago.
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About Mia Kerick
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 Dreamspinner 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.
My themes I always write about:
Sweetness. Unconventional love, tortured/damaged heroes- only love can save them.
Mia Kerick focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled young men within the boundaries of blossoming, supportive relationships. She believes that sex has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. And Mia’s stories are centered around a certain theme: even heroes can be sweet. Sweet, but not completely innocent.
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