Sustain

Rhapsody #5

by Amy Booker

Sustain - cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption.

The show must go on.

As manager of one of the hottest rock bands on the planet, Murderous Crows, Mackenzie Roberts is married to her job. But when former rocker Ian Summers, a British ex-pat and reluctant new manager for up-and-coming band Chaos Fuel, swoops in to save her on the Aspen slopes, her mind might just be changed.

In Aspen for a winter music festival, both bands and crew get snowed in during an unparalleled blizzard. And let’s just say isolation and alcohol are not a good combination for a group of rockstars. Things get out of hand very quickly.

Sparks are flying between Mackenzie and Ian as they work through a myriad of crises together, but secrets threaten to extinguish their budding relationship before it ignites.

Working behind the scenes in the music industry isn’t glamorous, but the relationships you make are crucial. Will Mackenzie embrace her one-of-a-kind connection with Ian? Or will secrets only work to amplify their breakup?

Sustain, Book #5 of the Rhapsody Rockstar Series, is a steamy, unorthodox workplace story that puts a spin on the turntable of ‘rockstar romance.’ All novels are standalones set in a connected universe.

Genres: Romance

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2024

About the author

Amy Booker is a full-time author and former musician now living her passion of writing complex contemporary romances that immerse readers into the realities—both beautiful and gritty—of life on stage and behind the scenes. Most feature rockstars, while some venture into the glitz of Vegas.

With over a dozen novels under her belt, Amy draws from her own experience to pen authentic plots and multidimensional characters. Never one to shy away from tough topics, her books tackle real situations with emotional depth.

When she's not crafting her next book, you can find Amy embarking on thrilling travels, getting lost in audiobooks, catching Arsenal matches, or tuning into the Critical Role D&D show. She shares her home with rescue pup Gunner and has an adult son with special needs who fills her days with both challenges and immense love.

Stay up-to-date with Amy’s latest heartfelt releases on www.amybookerauthor.com.

Reviews

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mackenzie and Ian

Mackenzie is the band manager for the rock band Murderous Crows and Ian is a newly demoted manager for the band Chaos Fuel. When the bands take a little trip for a festival its Ian who becomes Mackenzie’s knight in shining armor when she gets injured on the ski slope. When Ian and Mackenzie get snowed in, they get to know each other more and both are smitten.

This book was a great ending to this series and with Ian and Chaos Fuel I’m sure I’ll get my rocker fix with Ms. Booker in the future.

[Renee Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have absolutely adored this series! There is no way I could pick a favorite story, or a favorite couple. Sustain is Ian and Mackenzie’s steamy and intense love journey. We know and love Mackenzie as the successful and driven manager of Murderous Crows, and Ian is the new manager of Chaos Fuel. They have known each other professionally for years, but a ski accident, a massive snowstorm, and a cozy mountain cabin takes their relationship to another level. The chemistry between these two is epic, and you will root for them throughout the story. Stubborn, career driven, and brokenhearted, finding themselves falling in love makes them question everything. Throw in two adorable little girls, and the situation gets very complicated.
The writing is brilliant. The characters are people I would totally want to hang out with.
It’s a wonderful wrap up of a heart wrenching, steamy, intense, emotional, romantic, and extraordinary series. What a ride!

[JoJoRe · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Sustain, Amy Booker delivers another series finale that brings closure to everything this Rock Band has gone through in their path to stardom and success.
Ian has seen multiple changes in his life recently but he was not expecting this latest one to turn his life and feelings inside out making him believe he could have something he thought he’d lost. Mackenzie has been around the music world for a many years, dealing with egos and eccentricity the best way possible but never in a million years was she expecting for someone from that world to crash into her life and make her want more, want something she never thought she would want. Love when in isolation is forever.
This book shows how fragile illusions can easily shatter once real life makes an appearance, how lies, even if innocent initially and by omission can be blown out of proportion and burst the careful bubble one chooses to live in, but it ultimately shows that being human means making mistakes, learning from them and learning how to move on and forgive because finding true love deserves another chance.

[Jessica Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know if I could love this series more than I already do!!! Sustain is the story of the Murderous Crows manager, Mackenzie and newly minted Chaos Fuel manager, Ian Summers. What began as a trip to Aspen for a music festival involving both bands, turned out to be a love story in the making. An unfortunate ski accident for Mackenzie led to the chance crossing of paths with Ian, her hero. Throw in a major blizzard that snowed them in a cabin and you get to watch their story unfold. That is until 2 little secrets Ian kept from Mackenzie forces them to reevaluate this relationship. Of course if you want to know more, you’ve gotta read the book!!!! I can’t wait for the next series to hopefully get more of Mackenzie and Ian!!!

[Maddy Matos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mackenzie is the manager of Murderous Crows, she and the band arrived in Aspen for a music festival they’re headlining. She and the drummer take a lesson or two and try a slope. It’s snowing hard and things go badly. Ian who’s a record executive has sort of been demoted, sort of. He’s now been assigned to manage the band Chao Fuel. He knows these guys well because he signed them to the label. He’s also kind of upset because since the divorce his daughters are living in England and now with his new position going to England to visit them will be difficult. He’ll be expected to travel with the band, especially these guys. When Ian & Mackenzie got together it was hot! Like my kindle warmed up hot. These two have great chemistry and I adore Ian. She made a statement about kids so he didn’t mention he has some. Now she feels he’s hiding something, and a lie by omission is still a lie. I loved this book, these two are so sweet to each other, in fact I loved this rockstar series. I’m giving this book five stars and I highly recommend it.

[Paula Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely culmination to this Series

Mackenzie is a tough nut to crack, but after a skiing accident she is rescued by her knight in shining armour. As ever life is never quite cut and dried, but Amy has crafted yet another page turner and this one has love and family at its heart.
This Series is a must read.

[Meenal]

5% single parent book

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sustain hits a high note on how rapidly life can change and the intensity it can happen with in a book with a searing connection, a down deep fear of falling in love, a relationship on the fast track that gets derailed by lies of omission, and the knowledge that maybe what you’ve always wanted has been the very thing that you’ve always fought against.
Mackenzie’s life is her job, and she is one of the best at it. Managing Murderous Crows hasn’t been easy but it’s worth every horrible, hard, and beautiful thing that its thrown her way in the last ten years. Her band is successful, drama free for now, and happier than it’s ever been. So as much as it pains her to admit it, they’ll survive without her. Which is a good thing since she is injured and snowed in at a cabin with the incredibly hot Ian, an acquaintance that until now was never anything more. Days trapped together, attraction, an intense connection she didn’t see coming, all spark and catch fire while they’re stranded in their little cabin together. It feels like they’ve been fast tracked into serious relationship status and she’s losing her heart, but Ian has a secret that could rip them apart faster than they got together.
I love Mackenzie! I love that all of her past has made her see that grabbing her future, whatever that is, is the big picture, and everything else is the small stuff. Even lies of omission made by a guy she’s madly in love with. It’s a big omission and pretty life altering but for her and after everything she’s seen and been through, just getting up can be life altering and it can all be gone in the blink of an eye. So better to grab happiness, admit that what you want has changed, and let yourself love and be loved. As the last book in the series I am insanely satisfied that with Mackenzie finding her happiness, for the first time in a long time all of Murderous Crows feels settled, successful, and happy.

[BookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

After coming across Coda, the first in this series, I devoured everything Murderous Crows, so I was eager to get my hands on the love story for the band manager, Mackenzie Roberts. Mackenzie is a super woman – calm, organized, smart, and the best in the business at her job. Her capabilities are challenged after a skiing accident that results in a broken leg, and a music festival to pull off without a hitch in a few day’s time.

Ian Summers happens to be out on the slopes when Mackenzie crashes. Despite being recently pushed into a management role for the band Chaos Fuel, and the white-out blizzard swirling around them, his only concern is getting Mackenzie to safety. The fact that they end up snowed in together in his cabin is a definite plus.

I love both of these characters so much! Mackenzie is that woman we all want to be when we grow up – tough and bad@ss but kind and warm-hearted. And Ian is so swoony, with his protective side, his Boy Scout tendencies, and his big heart.

I was a little underwhelmed by the big secret, and it felt like it lacked some authenticity. It's something that could cause an issue in a new relationship, yes, but it didn’t seem to me like the insurmountable problem it was intended to be.

I loved seeing more of the Murderous Crows family and getting introduced to Chaos Fuel, which means we'll probably get more appearances from beloved characters, and I’m so ready for all of it. A quick, fun, low-angst read full of humor, steam, and heart, this is sure to be a favorite of rock star romance fans.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end of a great series!

It makes me cry that this is the last book in this series ... I have enjoyed this series sooo much! Even though Mackenzie had to be a ballbuster in the other books, she shows a much softer side in this book. I loved Ian ... but I just don't get why he didn't tell Mackenzie about his girls. The chemistry between Mackenzie and Ian almost started by iPad on fire. I loved the way Ms. Booker introduced a new series with a new band in this book, so I'm hoping we will get a bit of the Murderous Crows in the new series. I can't wait to read all about Chaos Fuel.

Mackenzie is the manager for the band Murderous Crows and they are playing at a music festival in the Colorado mountains. They arrive early and decide to go skiing. When Mackenzie has a skiing accident, she gets rescued by Ian who is a talent scout at their record label. When the record label decides to downsize, Ian can either manage the new band Chaos Fuel that he signed on ... or he's out of a job. So he becomes a band manager and his first task is corralling the new band at a Colorado music festival. After witnessing Mackenzie slam into a pole, he rushes over and calls for help. Mackenzie and Ian end up in Ian's cabin when a blizzard hits and they are stranded for a couple of days. Will they give into the chemistry between them in the secluded cabin?

I received an early copy courtesy of the author.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

B​lackmore Music is tightening its belt and intends to consolidate artist management in one department. With that in mind, Ian Summers has become expendable unless he takes over as manager of a new band, Chaos Fuel. Mackenzie Roberts is the long-time manager of Murderous Crows and she's under pressure to get the band to the weekend music festival in Aspen. Out on the slopes of Aspen, Mackenzie takes a fall and Ian is there to save her and when the storm clouds move in, they find themselves taking refuge in his cabin. The spark of interest they felt from the beginning now burns brightly and it's not long before things turn serious. But Ian has kept a life-changing secret from her and it could ruin everything that they've become. I was a little, no, a lot annoyed with Liam that he had so little faith in Mackenzie that he wouldn't consider coming clean. Yes, I understand that Mackenzie said she didn't want children, or that she'd never thought of it, but he should have told her about his sweet little girls and let the chips fall where they may. I really enjoyed the story and thought that the characters were all delightful. The heroes of this story, the ones who saved their happy ending, were the daughters and the cat!

[Teresa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sustain A Workplace Rockstar Romance: Rhapsody Series, #5 by Amy Booker, is about Mackenzie, the band manager for Murderous Crows, and Ian, newly demoted to band manager of Chaos Fuel due to Blackmore record label downsizing under new management. Both bands are headed to Aspen to play in a Winter Festival show when Mackenzie breaks her leg in a ski accident and ends up holed up in a cabin with Ian during a freak blizzard that blew in. During their time together, they get to know one another and discover a passion that consumes them both. But secrets are hidden, but for how long? Not all is at face value. Being able to 'sustain' their relationship outside the cabin's isolation may not be possible. Can the workaholic burned once already relationship-shy Mackenzie find sustainable love with the divorced father of two, Ian? Sustain is the first book by Amy Booker that I have read, and it makes me want to go back and read all of her previous books In the Rockstar Rhapsody series.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 5 in Booker's Rhapsody series and can be read as a standalone but really - why would you want to? This series is captivating and Sustain is no exception. With Mackenzie's story. Mackenzie is the manager of rock band Murderous Crows and she and the band find themselves in Aspen with band Chaos Fuel and their new manager Ian. An accident and a freak blizzard make for some close encounters and realizations. Booker writes a smooth flowing storyline that is captivating, emotional, sweet and steamy and everything you could want. Loveable characters you want to be friends with in real life. I couldn't get enough of this book and can't believe this series is over - but what a way to go! I can't wait to see what's next.

I received a free copy of this book via BookSprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[TELA666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Ian & Mackenzie

What a conclusion for the Murderous Crows, their stabilising force Mackenzie has an accident & in the aftermath questions her dreams for the future.
Ian, an exec with the label, is now managing another band at the same festival after corporate restructuring. He also is jaded after a divorce, new role & his daughters living back in England.
I loved how he stepped in to look after Mackenzie & Stormy but didn't like how he panicked once apart after the festival. Mackenzie was her usual organised, focused self but slowly opens up to allowing Ian in and eventually seeing she can have more than just her career.
The epilogue was a lovely wrap up of the couples and the band in a really good place.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

MMC/FMC- Ian and Mackenzie
POV- 1st person dual
Genre- Rockstar Romance
Heat- 🌋🌋🌋 they do things before they do the thing
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers- explicit erotic content, rock, roll
Tropes- Workplace Romance, Damsel in Distress, Forced Proximity (Snowbound), Truth or Dare
What I thought- the author did a brilliant job of building the mental and physical connection between the main characters. They showed rather than told and that really conveyed the emotions.
What I learned- just because someone is the complete package doesn’t mean that he can’t make foolish choices.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandy Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sustain brings us Mackenzie’s story, the tough no nonsense manager of the Murderous Crows, she is married to her job of keeping the band successful and under control. Ian Summers was once a rocker but now he finds himself the new inexperienced manager of Chaos Fuel, in Aspen for a music festival, Mackenzie finds herself in need of rescuing, Ian steps in to help, add is a blizzard which snows everyone in, plus alcohol and sparks fly everywhere, will dealing with the many crises involved with unpredictable stars plus the weather damage their budding romance or help push the together??.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this new "Rhapsody" rock star romance where opposites attract. The story is about Mackenzie and Ian. She is the band manager for the Murderous Crows rock band. Ian is the reluctant manager for the Chaos Fuel band. Both bands are in Aspen for a winter music festival. Mackenzie becomes injured on the ski slopes and is rescued by Ian. Both bands get snowed in during the blizzard and sparks definitely fly. I like how their story develops, even the rocky bits. I love the characters and their magical story.

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great ending to the series. This book focused on Mackenzie and her relationship with Ian.
This story was heartbreaking, emotional, romantic, sweet, steamy and gave me heart in the throat moments.
This book was well-written and free-flowing. It captured my attention from the first page and I HAD to find out what happened in the end.
It wrapped up the series and gave a teaser at what could be coming next.
i highly recommend this book - totally a 5 star read!

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ian comes to Mackenzie's aid it ignites a fire between them but when everyone is snowed in, they have to work overtime behind the scenes with the band members who are causing all kinds of chaos. Will their relationship survive the chaos and lead them to a happily ever after. This story had me from page one as I cheered Ian and Mackenzie on to happiness.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I love this series so much but I guess everything has to come to end.
Murderous Crows just got new beginning in their private lives. All of them finally got their matches and love forever.
From crazy rock band members to knights in shining armour and their beloved women.
While I’m waiting for next books from this author I’ll read this books again,they are that good.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carina Hales · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final book in the series and this did not disappoint. Lots of drama and shenanigans in this story. I loved Mackenzie and Ian’s connection and how they found their way together with all the barriers they had against them. Hayley and June were adorable as well. I loved this series and I hope Amy writes more soon!

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in this incredible series, and this is Ian and Mackenzie’s story.
This is a well written story which is action packed, with family, friendships, emotions, secrets, workplace romance, humor, witty banter, and love, which leads to an entertaining and steamy page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mackenzie and Ian are a pretty interesting couple to read about. Of course there’s there’s some drama that almost tears them apart but it all works out. It’s a good feeling wholesome story about two adults falling in love, what more could you ask for.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lauren S · Rating 4 out of 5]

The manager extraordinaire is forced to take a back seat when she injures herself. Being helpless when trained to be independent is tough but some positives result. Recommend reading the series in order but can be read as a standalone.

[Petra Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely final book to end the series, but felt the ending a bit rushed, hence 4*. Would have liked a bit more about Ian and Mackenzie future together.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cindie Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow

Wow, just wow! Ian and Mackenzie have crazy busy jobs. The music business has so many ups and downs, but they thrive. A horrendous accident brings them together and Mother Nature Keeps them that way. Their attraction blooms and love prevails. Truly enjoyed their story.

[Linda Wildman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

I would have liked more interaction with the band instead of so much sex. It got interesting at the end. I was hoping you would do Cooper but it didn't sound like it. I was hoping to find out where he goes.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mackenzie…finally…

What a great slow burn (of sorts) romance. Mackenzie the hyper-vigilant band manager finally finds her own HEA with Ian, but it’s not without a few twists, turns and surprises. Can Mackenzie accept the secret Isn’t is keeping? Read it and find out!

[Coralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Dee Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mackenzie is the band manager for Murderous Crows and her story closes this series beautifully.
A skiing accident at a Winter Festival has Mackenzie needing help. When, Ian,the manager of another band at the festival steps in to help their lives change.
As always, Ms Booker, has delivered another emotionally charged, romantic and steamy read, with plenty drama, tension, secrets, rockstars and a HEA.
I can’t recommend this series, if fact anything Amy Booker writes, enough.
If you like rockstar reads this one is definitely your jam!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.