by Anne Mercier
Other Titles By Anne Mercier
Rockstar Series
Falling Down (Book #1)
Blush (Book #2)
A Very Xander Christmas (Book #2.5, Free short story)
COPYRIGHT
Amplify
Copyright ©2015 Anne Mercier
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are products of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental.
Cover Design: Anne Mercier
Cover Images: DepositPhotos.
Editor: Nicole at Proof Before You Publish.
Interior Formatting by Cassy Roop of Pink Ink Designs
Rockstar Character Chart: Janelle Schindler at Bookaholic Promotions
Rockstar Logo: Pamela Cunningham
A Very Xander Christmas (Rockstar #2.5) ©2014 Anne Mercier
Mistaken Identity ©2014 TC Matson
Slick ©2015 Kristi Pelton
Empty Promises ©2015 Elle Brooks
Gable ©2015 Harper Bentley
Never Let You Go ©2015 Jessica Gibson
Wherever You Will Go ©2014 Stephanie Smith
The use of actors, artists, and song titles and lyrics throughout this book are done so for storytelling purposes and should in no way be seen as advertisement. Trademark names are used in an editorial fashion with no intention of infringement of the respective owner's trademark.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and please purchase your own copy.
PERSONAL NOTE: The only pirates I like are Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Morgan which means I'd appreciate if you'd keep my books to yourself. Pirating shows a clear lack of respect for the author—me. I'd rather not meet you on bad terms, so let's not do that, let's not meet that way. Let's meet at a signing or conference instead, or let's go have a cup of coffee or a drink. Thank you for respecting the time and effort put into each book. I appreciate it very much.
Hi Everyone,
Thank you for your continued support of the Rockstar series. You all are seriously amazing. I didn't expect the series to take off like it has, not at all. I wasn't prepared, but I'm getting there.
While Falling Down and Blush are light-hearted with very little—if any—drama and angst, I thought I should let you know that Amplify has some of both. Neither Sera nor Cage have had an easy life and we learn so much about them and what makes them who they are in this book. I didn't have a favorite book boyfriend from this series—until now. I absolutely love Cage and I hope you will too. He not only stole Sera's heart, but he stole mine as well.
For those who've asked, yes! Each character will get their own story. This means I'll be writing this series for years as there are so many. At the end of this book you'll find tentative* publishing dates for 2015 and 2016 as well as a link to my website where you can find other information such as signings and how to purchase signed paperback copies. Also part of the reason why the dates and titles are subject to change is the fact that the characters seem to have taken on a life of their own and demand, without notice, more of their voices be heard. Such is the case with Jesse and Lucy and I imagine Sera and Cage will do so as well. *All dates are subject to change without notice.
Also, I wanted you all to know that the books will not be available for preorder until maybe around the September/October time frame. I would like to get far enough ahead in the publishing schedule that I don't have to worry about Amazon's preorder clauses (which suck). After that, the books should be available for preorder. Until then, I'll have them out on the release dates listed unless otherwise specified. If there are any changes to the publishing or signing schedules, those changes will be announced in my newsletter and you can sign up for that here.
There's been some unhappiness expressed with the way the books end and this saddens me. I feel like I need to explain how this series works for those who don't quite understand and are getting frustrated. Hopefully this will help clear up any confusion.
First, I have to point out that this is a series and that means that the series thread of the books will be told throughout many books. If I tried to pack the entire series overlay into one book, it would end up being longer than all of the Harry Potter books put together.
I'll use this crocheting analogy... Imagine a crocheted blanket as the Rockstar series. Each row is a book. The links holding each row (book) together is the overall series thread. While each couple will get their own book (row) and each book (row) will be unique in overall feel due to the personalities of the hero and heroine, part of the series thread will also be woven into that book and then will continue on into the next book, and the next, and the next tying it all in a pretty little bow until the series ends.
I really hope this helps explain things. If there are any other questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to send me an email at [email protected] at any time. I'd love to hear from you!
Hugs and love,
Anne xoxo
P.S. You're all welcome to join the Rockstar group on Facebook. We talk about the rockstars, book boyfriends, books, and anything and everything. I hope to see you there!
Hugs and love,
Anne xoxo
P.S. You're all welcome to join the Rockstar group on Facebook. We talk about the rockstars, book boyfriends, books, and anything and everything. I hope to see you there!
Spotify - YouTube
Undone by Hailey Reinhart
Safe and Sound by Julia Sheer
I Can’t Not Love You by Every Avenue
Where I Stood by Missy Higgins
You by The Pretty Reckless
It’s Not Just Me by Rascal Flatts
Get Through This by Art of Dying
A Beautiful Lie by Thirty Seconds To Mars
Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit
Twisted Transistor by Korn
What I Did For Love by David Guetta feat. Emeli Sandé
Bring On The Rain by Jo Dee Messina
Raining On Sunday by Keith Urban
Anywhere but here by Safetysuit
Beautiful Disaster by Jon McLaughlin
Glass by Thompson Square
Zzyzx Rd. by Stone Sour
Come Wake Me Up by Rascal Flatts
Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been by Relient K
Edge of Desire by John Mayer
Bad Intentions by Niykee Heaton
Unlike Any Other by Delta Rae
She Is Love by Parachute
Broken by Seether feat. Amy Lee
Titanium by David Guetta feat. Sia
Bed of Lies by Nicki Minaj, Skylar Grey
Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars
Wherever You Will Go by The Calling
Won’t Go Home Without You by Maroon 5
Human by Christina Perri
Wasted by Carrie Underwood
Heartbreak Warfare by John Mayer
Don’t Fight It by Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry
Push by Matchbox Twenty
True Love by P!nk
Breathe by Michelle Branch
Tired of You by The Exies
Make You Miss Me by Sam Hunt
I Won’t Let You Go b
y James Morrison
Making Memories of Us by Keith Urban
Sugar by Maroon 5
Little Things by One Direction
Loveliest Thing by James Reunion
All of Me by Jason Chen and Madilyn Bailey
Because of You by 98 Degrees
All In by Lifehouse
Never Stop by Safetysuit
I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden
This Means War by Avenged Sevenfold
Head Games by Foreigner
I Found In You by Sarah Darling
Suspicious Minds by Elvis
Celebration by Kool & The Gang
What I Like About You by The Romantics
P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson
Walk This Way by Aerosmith & RUN-DMC
Stuck With You by Huey Lewis & The News
Brass Bed by Josh Gracin
Gravity by John Mayer
Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Lady Antebellum
Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N’ Roses
Bodies by Drowning Pool
Click Click Boom by Saliva
Next To Me by Emeli Sandé
Now and Forever by Richard Marx
Wanted by Hunter Hayes
I Found In You by Sarah Darling
To my mom for teaching me about the love of music.
From the nights when we were little and listened to the Bee Gees and Tom Jones to road trips with the 50s and 60s oldies. I remember vinyl records, 8-tracks, and cassette tapes of artists ranging from Elvis and Alabama to Olivia Newton-John, Rod Stewart, and Elton John. I remember doing aerobics to fun music and our "cleaning Saturdays" with whatever music fit the bill for that day roaring from the stereo speakers.
Mom, you helped shape my love of such a diverse range of music and for that I will always be grateful.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prologue-Sera
Chapter One-Sera
Chapter Two-Cage
Chapter Three-Sera
Chapter Four –Sera
Chapter Five-Cage
Chapter Six-Sera
Chapter Seven-Cage/Sera/Cage
Chapter Eight-Sera
Chapter Nine-Sera
Chapter Ten-Cage
Chapter Eleven-Sera
Chapter Twelve-Cage
Chapter Thirteen-Sera
Chapter Fourteen-Cage
Chapter Fifteen-Sera
Chapter Sixteen-Cage
Chapter Seventeen-Sera
Chapter Eighteen-Cage
Chapter Nineteen-Lucy/Jesse/Lucy
Chapter Twenty-Sera
Chapter Twenty-One-Cage
Chapter Twenty-Two-Sera
Chapter Twenty-Three-Sera
Chapter Twenty-Four-Sera
Chapter Twenty-Five-Cage
Acknowledgements
2015 Publishing & Travel Schedule
Contact Anne
Amplify By-The-Book Playlist
Amplify Playlist
A Very Xander Christmas (Rockstar #2.5)
Mistaken Identity-TC Matson
Slick – Kristi Pelton
Empty Promises – Elle Brooks
Gable – Harper Bentley
Wherever You Will Go – Stephanie Smith
Never Let Me Go – Jessica Gibson
***
Title Page
Copyright
Author Note
Rockstar Character Chart
Dedication
Sera
Undone by Hailey Reinhart
Safe and Sound by Julia Sheer
I’M SINGING ALONG to the radio with Lucy, happy and laughing, as we head back from vacation with her family when we pull up to the gates at my house. Now, as a ten-year-old girl, I normally wouldn’t admit this, but I missed my mom and dad. They are my best friends and the fact that they spoil me might be why.
I’m excited to see them. It’s been ten days. We had a great time in Florida at Disney World and Epcot and all that. The teacup ride made me sick, though. Joey, Lucy’s brother and my annoying cousin, made fun of me for the rest of the day until Lucy socked him one when her parents weren’t looking.
I had the most fun when we made our way down to Miami and stayed with Grandpa Giovanni. We swam and ate and played until we couldn’t anymore. I was almost sad to go. Almost.
I run up to the front door while Uncle Anthony and Aunt Regina are still getting out of the car. I throw the door open and run inside.
"Mama! Daddy!" I run to the great room where they usually are and it’s empty. Hmm. I pout a minute. Maybe they’re out on the terrace working today. They do that sometimes.
"Mommy?" I call out.
I open the side doors and notice papers on the ground. I frown. That’s not like them at all. They never make a mess with their work and important papers. I look at the table and see the half-full glass of iced tea, the ice barely melted. They must be out here somewhere. My heart kicks up in happiness and anticipation. I can’t wait to hug my mommy.
I walk out further.
"Mama! Daddy!" I call out once more. I step down the stairs and walk toward the pool. They’re not swimming, but I see mommy’s shoe lying on the walkway beside the pool. Maybe they’re changing for a swim. Eww, maybe they’re doing it.
I call out louder for them and see my mommy’s other shoe. I head toward the pool house and knock on the door, just in case they are doing it. Gross.
"Mommy? Daddy?" I slowly turn the knob and push the door open.
I step inside and I can’t process what I’m seeing. Mommy and daddy and so much blood. So much blood.
"Mommy!" I run over to her and I see the hole in her forehead with a stream of blood running down the side of her face and more gushing out of her throat.
Who would hurt my mommy? Why would they do this?
Someone’s screaming and later on I’ll learn it’s me.
I turn to my daddy who has matching wounds.
I burst into sobs. They’re lying side by side, their hands joined.
"No! No, no, no!" I cry, holding their joined hands, kneeling in a pool of their blood—thick, rich, and still warm. I hold their hands to my chest and rock back and forth, sobbing. When I can’t hold myself up, I fall and curl up between them.
I don’t know how long I’m there, but by the time Anthony and Regina find me, I’m covered in blood as I hold their hands, resting my head on my mommy’s chest.
"Mommy, mommy, mommy," I cry. I want my mommy.
I see Uncle Anthony out of the corner of my eye telling Aunt Regina something I can’t hear. I can’t stop calling for my mommy, hoping this is all a bad dream and I’ll wake up and she’ll be laughing her bubbly laugh while she and daddy joke on the terrace while they work.
"Sera, bella, you must come with me now," Uncle Anthony tells me.
I can’t respond. I just keep calling for mommy and daddy when Anthony picks me up, murmuring softly as I reach out for mommy one last time.
There are a lot of people here now, men in uniforms. They’re too late. We’re all too late. Maybe if I hadn’t been gone, this wouldn’t have happened. I wasn’t here for mommy and daddy when they needed me. I could have hidden and dialed 911 like they taught me to.
I’m so sorry, mommy and daddy. I should have been here. I could have saved you from the bad people. I’m sorry.
"I want my mommy," I tell Uncle Anthony through my sobs.
"I know, baby girl. I know."
Those are the only words I speak for nearly three months: Mommy, daddy, or I want my mommy and daddy. Blood and bullet holes, throats sliced with rivers of blood are what I see in my dreams, my nightmares, in my daymares. Are there such things as daymares? Maybe I invented them.
"Mia bambina, don’t cry," mommy tells me in her lavender silky flowing gown like nothing I’ve ever seen her wear before.
"Mommy!" I cry out and she hugs me. My daddy hugs me from behind.
"Where did you go? Who hurt
you, mommy?"
"My little one," daddy whispers, "your mommy and I are in heaven now but we are with you always."
"No! You’re not there. I want you and mommy to come back with me. I want to play games and watch movies. I want to hug you. I just want you with me," I sob.
"Oh God," mommy whispers as she cries and wipes my tears. "I know this is hard, but you need to be strong, Serafina. If we could come back, we would be there, you know this. But we can’t."
I shake my head in denial as tears flow down my cheeks.
"So stubborn," she says with a soft smile. "My baby, you are stronger than you know and you will have Uncle Anthony and Aunt Regina to take care of you now." She presses a finger to my lips when I try to interrupt. "I know it won’t be the same, Sera, but you must move forward. You must pull yourself out of this darkness and let them help you. You must live."
"I don’t want to, mommy. I want to stay with you and daddy."
"Little one, it can’t be done. If there was a way, I would be with you in a heartbeat. Since we can’t, you have to lean on those who can. You must live. You can grieve, but you must live as well. Can you do that for me, Serafina? Can you live?" daddy asks.
I tuck my chin to my chest. "I don’t know," I whisper.
"Can you try, little one?" daddy asks.
I look up into his brown eyes, so deep and dark like the richest chocolate, they shimmer with tears. Daddy never cries.
I know they need this from me but I don’t know if I can.
"I can try," I sob.
My daddy tightens his hold on me, hugging me tight, as my mommy smoothes down my hair.
"My heart hurts, daddy," I wail.
"I know, baby. I know. It will hurt less as time goes on."
I shake my head.
"It will. I promise you."
"Daddy!" I wail.
"Oh my baby girl, you’re going to be okay. You’re a Russo through-and-through. Nothing can keep Russos down for long."
"But, daddy, our name is Manzini."
He frowns and nods. "But you must embrace the Russo side of you and be strong. Do good. Be all I know you can be, Serafina."
I frown as I cry. "I’ll try."
He wipes my tears and smiles a shaky smile. "That is all I can ask."