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Mixtape: A Love Song Anthology
What’s more romantic than a love song? A mixtape full of them.
Twelve bestselling and award-winning authors have curated an anthology of brand-new, standalone stories inspired by love songs.
Twelve bestselling and award-winning authors have curated an anthology of brand-new, standalone stories inspired by love songs.
536 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 2019
302 people are currently reading
1800 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Sloane
42 books7,728 followersUSA Today bestselling author Nikki Sloane landed in graphic design after her careers as a waitress, a screenwriter, and a ballroom dance instructor fell through. Now she writes full-time and lives in Kentucky with her husband, two sons, and two super destructive cats.
She is a four-time Romance Writers of America RITA® & Vivian® Finalist, a Passionate Plume & HOLT Medallion winner, a Goodreads Choice Awards semifinalist, and couldn't be any happier that people enjoy reading her sexy words.
She is a four-time Romance Writers of America RITA® & Vivian® Finalist, a Passionate Plume & HOLT Medallion winner, a Goodreads Choice Awards semifinalist, and couldn't be any happier that people enjoy reading her sexy words.
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January 27, 2019
Review of Broken Hallelujah by Sierra Simone
“Love, like God, has to be merciful as often as it’s terrifying, otherwise the terror of it all is for nothing.”
Oh Sierra, how I love your words!! No matter what this author writes, I’m amazed by her talent. Broken Hallelujah is no different. The story is intriguing, captivating, and left me wanting more.
What I loved:
Obviously, the beautiful prose and imaginative storyline. The writing is concise and material thoroughly researched and rendered.
The characters are perfect. Their chemistry and emotions jump off the page. I was immediately pulled into the story and kept trying to flip pages at the end.
And in typical fashion, it’s pretty dang hot.
Overall, a super quick read that will entertain.
“Love, like God, has to be merciful as often as it’s terrifying, otherwise the terror of it all is for nothing.”
Oh Sierra, how I love your words!! No matter what this author writes, I’m amazed by her talent. Broken Hallelujah is no different. The story is intriguing, captivating, and left me wanting more.
What I loved:
Obviously, the beautiful prose and imaginative storyline. The writing is concise and material thoroughly researched and rendered.
The characters are perfect. Their chemistry and emotions jump off the page. I was immediately pulled into the story and kept trying to flip pages at the end.
And in typical fashion, it’s pretty dang hot.
Overall, a super quick read that will entertain.
January 29, 2019
✲SAY YES by ELLE KENNEDY – Song: Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson – I’m in town for a wedding. We both swiped right and blew each other’s minds last night. But this morning? He looks a hell of a lot like the groom.
A deliciously sexy and light-hearted cat and mouse, where we meet Emilia who is at a hotel for the weekend, attending her friend’s wedding. In the mood for a one-night stand to release some pent-up sexual steam, she ‘swipes right’ on the delicious Dirk who is in the mood for one-night fling himself. Perfect, if she can get over his porn star name that is.
‘I could get addicted to this. I could really, really get addicted to this man.’
Sexy, warm and witty. Everything we’ve come to love from Elle Kennedy is bundled into this fun and flirty short story. A steamy night of sex, a case of mistaken identity and sizzling connection, but will this tryst prove more than a one-night stand and does Willie Nelson hold the key to their future?
✲YOUR EVERYTHING by KL KREIG – Song: I Just Want to be Your Everything by Andy Gibb – Some say no woman should come between brothers. Blood trumps all. Family first. Those people have not met Maverick DeSoto.
Oh wow! What a surprise it was to learn this story was a prequel to one of our favourite books, Black Swan Affair. That angsty, emotional and passionate story ripped our hearts out in 2016, and we still recall every emotion we experienced in that heart pounding and addictive read!
‘We both wanted the same woman. We’d both give anything to have her.’
In Your Everything, we go back Killian and Mavericks forbidden romance before the events of Black Swan Affair and it was fun catching up with these characters again. K L Kreig once again gives us a good dose of sexual chemistry, and hot alphaness as Mav and Killian begin their clandestine relationship before the eventual fallout. Oh boy, we relished this walk down memory lane!
✲THINK I’M IN LOVE by LESLIE McADAM – Song: Think I’m in Love by Beck – What’s worse than being in love with your best friend? Watching him propose to his girlfriend.
A sweet M/F – M/M friends to lovers’ story of enlightenment and self-discovery about three friends; Kim, Randy, and Shane. On the eve of Kim’s year long study abroad trip to Spain, Shane surprises everyone by impulsively proposing to Kim. She accepts, and Randy is perplexed, as he knows there is a connection between him and Shane.
“Randy. You’re my best friend. I want to always be your best friend. But we can never be anything more.”
When Kim leaves, Shane is forced to confront his feelings for Randy and enter all the confusion and conflict that lies therein. Randy desperately loves Shane, but Shane is scared to admit his feelings for Randy – small-town prejudice, parental acceptance all play a part. Can Shane face his feelings before it’s too late?
✲KISS ME by LYNDA AICHER – Song: Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran – A strong drink to mellow her frustrations is all Tara McTavish wants. Seeing the man who’d fired her the day before is not in her plans. But then, neither is going home with him.
A hot and spicy ex-boss/employee romance that steamed up the pages. Tara is down in the dumps after a mass lay off sees her out of work. Out commiserating with her friends, she comes face to face with her hot ex-boss, Daniel Marks, the man responsible for the layoffs…or is he?
‘She had to risk her heart in order to claim another’s, and no one had been worth the risk – until now.’
In his pov, we find Daniel has harboured feelings for Tara for some time, but ethically he couldn’t make a move. Now he is no longer her boss, he can make his move, and make his move he does! Enjoy seeing Daniel and Tara heating up the sheets and breaking down the walls around their hearts.
✲ALL I WANT by MARA WHITE – Song: All I Want to do is Make Love to You by Heart – Marilyn loves her husband, but she may love the idea of being a mother more. Will one night of passion with a beautiful stranger give her what she wants, or more than she bargained for?
A May to December romance about a woman’s all-consuming need to be a mother, and just like the song, Marylin embarks on sex with random strangers in the hope of conceiving the much-wanted child her older husband cannot give her. Marylin and Ove live an idyllic lifestyle and do love each other very much, but for Marylin life is incomplete without a child.
“Please don’t ruin m life,” she whispered to the stranger she knew so intimately…”
One rainy night she meets Decker, and after a night of lust fuelled passion, and a connection Marylin does her best to ignore, she disappears into the night knowing they had conceived a child. This compelling short story takes us years further than the song and we loved it! A beautiful epilogue was the cherry on top. A sizzling yet heart-warming story that felt complete.
✲LUSH by MARNI MANN – Song: S & M by Rihanna – There aren’t any secrets from me at my exclusive sex club, Lush. Not until the only man to ever tame me—the one who vanished in the middle of the night—turns up at the door.
A searing passionate and erotic story that left us wanting more! We need to know more! That ending, what a tantalising tease! A short but gripping erotic story of want, need, deceit and a passionate, albeit complicated and emotional love.
“I want you to remember something”, she said. I held her chin as I waited for her to continue. “You deserve to feel love. I want that for you, even if it’s not with me.”
Seriously, we were completely invested in Say Yes and desperately need to know how the events came about, what happened after the effect…we need more Pepper and Bale. Inspired by the song S & M, what a compelling and emotional short story!
✲SAY IT FIRST by NIKKI SLOANE – Song: Say It First by Sam Smith – I spend my days speeding around the track and my nights thinking about her—my new best friend and movie star Anna Douglas. Who’s going to win the race to admit we want to be more than just friends?
M/F Friends to lovers’ romance.
‘What if a hug made things weird? What if I put my arms around him and didn’t let go?’
A sweet and sexy romance about, Anna the actress who falls for NASCAR driver, Jamie- who she’s not seen since high school over 10 years ago. It all begins with a Facebook message. What starts as a friendship turns in to so much more but who will admit this fact first? Loved this one!
✲WILD PITCH by REBECCA SHEA – Song: Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran – I’m snowed in with the one person from my past who broke my heart. Someone forbidden…my first love…my brother’s best friend.
M/F Second chance friends to lovers’ romance.
“One of us would have sacrificed their dream for the other.”
Mateo and Mia haven’t seen each other in four years after one amazing kiss. Mia has never forgotten this kiss and still loves her brother’s friend. When they find themselves isolated in a snowed-in cabin the truth comes out, as does that hot passionate connection that never faded.
✲GUYS MY AGE by SAFFRON A KENT – Song: Guys My Age by Hey Violet – He’s older — much older, experienced and freaking gorgeous. Oh, and mine. He just doesn’t know it yet.
M/F Age gap erotic romance with friends to lovers theme.
“You want to know what love is, Fallon? Let me tell you what love is. It’s a burn. An explosion.”
This is a story about 18 year old Fallon and 33 year old Dean, who is very protective of her. Fallon asked Dean to marry her when she was 3 and Dean was 17 and have loved him ever since. Now she just has to convince him he loves her back and she has a cunning plan on how to do just that! A somewhat sweet and erotic short story.
✲BROKEN HALLELUJA by SIERRA SIMONE – Song: Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley – A kinky, wartime love affair once swept Marine Jacey Benjamin off her feet—until the hero she longed for chose power over love. Now her hero is back and ready to have Jacey kneeling before her once again, if only Jacey will say yes…
F/F A BDSM army second chance erotic romance.
‘I want to eat your light, she told me once right before she bit the skin over my heart.’
Jacey and Devon met in the army whilst on tour and for Jacey the attraction was instantaneous. Told in past and present this is one effed up story of love and betrayal. A highly emotional and hot short story.
✲MOMENT OF TRUTH by VERONICA LARSEN – Song: Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur – Telling her I love her might just ruin our friendship, but watching her marry someone else? Means losing her forever.
M/F Friends to lovers’ second chance romance.
‘Can she hear my heart beating? It’s where she belongs.’
Oh gosh we loved this one and it has made us want to read more from this Author! Albeit a short story it felt complete, full of emotion and beauty with romantic desperation. Dean and Gabby were childhood friends with a mutual protective friendship which turned into a deep-rooted love. As adults will they confront this love or will the missed chances win?
✲TOOTHPASTE KISSES by XIO AXELROD – Song: Toothpaste Kisses by The Maccabees – Starting over is Mal’s idea of hell and the last thing on his mind is freaking office décor. But this painting? It haunts him. So, does the handsome and intriguing artist who may have inadvertently opened a window into Mal’s soul.
M/M Sweet and hot romance.
‘How could he survive this man? Having Malcolm Zaha’s full attention was like standing in front of a roaring fire.’
Malcom is starting over after his partner in their law firm and life upped and left. Malcom needs a distraction and new Art in his office according to his assistant. This new artist, Pell proves to be the perfect cure. Intense, hot and sweet. We loved it!
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February 28, 2019Mixtape is a romance anthology by twelve authors with stories inspired by songs. I will rate and review each story individually as I read them.
Reviewed February 28, 2019
Story Title: Wild Pitch
Author: Rebecca Shea
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person - Female
Rating:
Mia McNeil decided to go to her family cabin in the middle of nowhere for a much needed solitude. Little did she know the weather was going to turn and brought her face to face with her past.
I liked the snowed in setting of the book but the story itself was very basic. For me, there was nothing really exciting about the characters, storyline or the sex scenes. It was an easy pace, sweet and safe read.
Wild Pitch is a second chance romance short story inspired by the song Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran.
Reviewed February 14, 2019
Story Title: All I Want
Author: Mara White
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: https://wp.me/p5bsdH-2y1
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Reviewed February 28, 2019
Story Title: Wild Pitch
Author: Rebecca Shea
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person - Female
Rating:
Every nerve in my body is on high-alert, and I’ve never felt such a combination of sensations all at once. Light pain, pleasure, tingles, and stinging.
Mia McNeil decided to go to her family cabin in the middle of nowhere for a much needed solitude. Little did she know the weather was going to turn and brought her face to face with her past.
I liked the snowed in setting of the book but the story itself was very basic. For me, there was nothing really exciting about the characters, storyline or the sex scenes. It was an easy pace, sweet and safe read.
We were more than just friends. We had a bond that was indescribable.
Wild Pitch is a second chance romance short story inspired by the song Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran.
Reviewed February 14, 2019
Story Title: All I Want
Author: Mara White
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: https://wp.me/p5bsdH-2y1
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
November 13, 2018
What’s worse than being in love with your best friend?
Watching him propose to his girlfriend.
“Think I’m in Love” is the m/m follow up to Sombra. http://myBook.to/sombralove
Can’t wait for you all to read everyone’s story!! 99¢ preorder on #AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2SX2lwv
Watching him propose to his girlfriend.
“Think I’m in Love” is the m/m follow up to Sombra. http://myBook.to/sombralove
Can’t wait for you all to read everyone’s story!! 99¢ preorder on #AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2SX2lwv
January 31, 2019
I only had time to read three stories ... I might find a little time for Rebecca Shea's story later tonight.
I started reading this anthology because I saw that Fallon from Medicine Man was getting a story in here! And I loved it. It was short but cute. I still don't love mega age-gap romances, but I was happy to read this story because we saw all the characters again!
Elle Kennedy's story was mega adorable too. Sexy, fun! I really enjoyed that one!
Xio's story was really adorable and artsy and really liked all the people in it!
Elle Kennedy: “Always On My Mind” - Willie Nelson
Rebecca Shea: “Thinking Out Loud” - Ed Sheeran
Saffron A. Kent: “Guys My Age” - Hey Violet
Xio Axelrod: “Toothpaste Kisses” - The Maccabees
♡
♡
February 1, 2019
Guys My Age by Saffron A. KENT
“Let me tell you what love is. It’s a burn. An explosion. It’s like I’m exploding every second of every day."
Forbidden, Tabboo, angst is Saffron's groove. You can feel the comfort level in her words as they flow easily like a brook. Meandering and navigating the rocky terrain of heart. What happens when a 3 year girl falls in love with a 17 year old, she's smitten and declares that she'll marry him one day.
It's the cutest thing ever!!!!!
I love you, Dean. I’m in love with you. Don’t you know that? I’ve been in love with you all my life.
Time passes, the odd couple gets older and distant. The embers are still alive in their separate hearts albeit still subdued. Time has come to fan it into the flame and the hot burning passion will melt your kindle. That's a guarantee. Obviously Dean and Fallon are hesitant, apprehensive about the growing feelings and restraints on their hearts are getting frayed, I say take cue from Mr. Cain by Shanora and he'll guide you well😜😂
Well done and very well written saffron!
And stop chewing your nails, it's a winner 😂
Just promise us to expand it into a full length novel later, it's too juicy a snack to not want to make a meal of !!
5 stars for wrongs that feel so Right
****************************************
All I Want by Mara White:
**The BEST STORY of the series**
It's deviant love story about a woman's quest for familial immortality. It's a miraculous story of Dallas Decker and his presence as a hitchhiker on a rainy night, a quirk of fate. Serendipity plays a part in these two peoples lives as planets align themselves to bring them t9gether that fateful night.
Marylin loved Ove, but she also hungered for bottomless passion, rowdy sex, and the impossibly hard cocks that youth bequeathed on men.
Marylin is living in a shell of life. She has a barren backyard, useless mudroom, empty cookie jar and vacant uterus. Desperation drives her to prowl and snack on empty sex with strangers
One such foray gives her the elusive bundle of joy she's been craving for.
She takes mismatched pieces and makes her Lego House which shatters after a fluke visit to the carnival. This angry encounter doesn't deter her and they both go back to their corners after a verbal spat
She was a liar and a traitor, the worst kind of thief, a lowly manipulator to boot, and she should never be forgiven for her hurtful mistakes. She hated herself, but she loved Ove Dexter more. He was not a mistake.
It's a BRILLIANTLY written story , very short ( Mara says it's 14k....pffft) I NEED MORE !!
Dallas Decker is stuff dreams are made of. Alluring, mysterious like a freshly mined Malachite, so hot that smoke still rises from his personality.!!!
Ove is deep, accepting devoid of bitterness and resentment, as forgiving as Marylin isn't.
I fell in LOVE, drowning, deep as ocean, LOVE.
Mara come back and expand this story to fill a full length novel...im ravenous. You can't tease me with this juicy ,morsel and withdraw , you cruel white!!!
5 stars for the Luckiest Sonofabitch
****************************************
Broken Hallelujah by Sierra Simone:
Yanno the sensory reactions between rosy love and red hot passion. It's a no man's land called LUST and Sierra is the undisputed QUEEN of that. It's her forté, her niche. The story won't matter, characters won't matter, the morality of it won't matter. When she creates two human beings and fills them with lusty ardor, explosions happen, fireworks so bright that everything -- surroundings, words, settings just disappear and all you can see or try-hard-but -can't-unsee is the connection between those two souls.
No, I mean she took me. I looked at her and then she decided I was hers, and she took me. I belonged to her before I even said hello.
Starting from the eyes, the electricity buzzes down their bodies with warp speed and it's like their hidden desires come alive.
This transformation created by Sierra is miraculous to read.
Nothing between me and her could ever be without pain.
Devon and Jenna "Jacey" Benjamin are two of these lovers sketched in alphabets by Sierra. They're bound by volatile lust. With War raging around them in Afghanistan 2010, they hunt down stolen pauses to explore their connection. Unable to keep their hands off of each other, thirsty and hungry for kisses and touches, they ravish on the banquet of feelings. Jacey thinks that their bellies full of love is enough......apparently it's not (insert MAJOR bawling moment here)
They separate by deception.
But Devon is livid
I know.
I’m coming.
It's a F/F pulsatingly passionate story. My first and I'm glad that my cherry pop was by articulate sierra.
What sultry vixens she's crafted with her pen, what vampiric love that feeds on souls. I'm in awe!
She wanted my dignity, my vulnerability, my doubt. That’s what she would feed on, that was her blood.
Love surprises us in the most enigmatic ways ..........and so does Sierra
5 stars for Hallelujah for Eternity
**********************************
Lush by marni Mann
Pepper is forlorn. Bale pierce gave her the best moments of her life and then vanished into thin air. Without a word!
Bale was gone—from my house, from the internet, from any documentation I had on him.
Leaving a resonating emptiness in her home, her club-Lush and her heart.
She misses his magical tongue, his deft hands, his biting rope.
Now he reappears like a ghost out of thin air, for mere 8 hours.
Should she let him in or throw him out? Maybe just a bit, enough to wet her lips even though it'll leave them thirsty for more.
I could completely wash Bale Pierce from my life. But I knew that wasn’t possible.
It's scorching hot and the burn feels oh so good to both pepper and us.
Marni is at her kinkiest best with this delectable morsel, go grab it !!!
4 stars for bada-bing anal!
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“Let me tell you what love is. It’s a burn. An explosion. It’s like I’m exploding every second of every day."
Forbidden, Tabboo, angst is Saffron's groove. You can feel the comfort level in her words as they flow easily like a brook. Meandering and navigating the rocky terrain of heart. What happens when a 3 year girl falls in love with a 17 year old, she's smitten and declares that she'll marry him one day.
It's the cutest thing ever!!!!!
I love you, Dean. I’m in love with you. Don’t you know that? I’ve been in love with you all my life.
Time passes, the odd couple gets older and distant. The embers are still alive in their separate hearts albeit still subdued. Time has come to fan it into the flame and the hot burning passion will melt your kindle. That's a guarantee. Obviously Dean and Fallon are hesitant, apprehensive about the growing feelings and restraints on their hearts are getting frayed, I say take cue from Mr. Cain by Shanora and he'll guide you well😜😂
Well done and very well written saffron!
And stop chewing your nails, it's a winner 😂
Just promise us to expand it into a full length novel later, it's too juicy a snack to not want to make a meal of !!
5 stars for wrongs that feel so Right
****************************************
All I Want by Mara White:
**The BEST STORY of the series**
It's deviant love story about a woman's quest for familial immortality. It's a miraculous story of Dallas Decker and his presence as a hitchhiker on a rainy night, a quirk of fate. Serendipity plays a part in these two peoples lives as planets align themselves to bring them t9gether that fateful night.
Marylin loved Ove, but she also hungered for bottomless passion, rowdy sex, and the impossibly hard cocks that youth bequeathed on men.
Marylin is living in a shell of life. She has a barren backyard, useless mudroom, empty cookie jar and vacant uterus. Desperation drives her to prowl and snack on empty sex with strangers
One such foray gives her the elusive bundle of joy she's been craving for.
She takes mismatched pieces and makes her Lego House which shatters after a fluke visit to the carnival. This angry encounter doesn't deter her and they both go back to their corners after a verbal spat
She was a liar and a traitor, the worst kind of thief, a lowly manipulator to boot, and she should never be forgiven for her hurtful mistakes. She hated herself, but she loved Ove Dexter more. He was not a mistake.
It's a BRILLIANTLY written story , very short ( Mara says it's 14k....pffft) I NEED MORE !!
Dallas Decker is stuff dreams are made of. Alluring, mysterious like a freshly mined Malachite, so hot that smoke still rises from his personality.!!!
Ove is deep, accepting devoid of bitterness and resentment, as forgiving as Marylin isn't.
I fell in LOVE, drowning, deep as ocean, LOVE.
Mara come back and expand this story to fill a full length novel...im ravenous. You can't tease me with this juicy ,morsel and withdraw , you cruel white!!!
5 stars for the Luckiest Sonofabitch
****************************************
Broken Hallelujah by Sierra Simone:
Yanno the sensory reactions between rosy love and red hot passion. It's a no man's land called LUST and Sierra is the undisputed QUEEN of that. It's her forté, her niche. The story won't matter, characters won't matter, the morality of it won't matter. When she creates two human beings and fills them with lusty ardor, explosions happen, fireworks so bright that everything -- surroundings, words, settings just disappear and all you can see or try-hard-but -can't-unsee is the connection between those two souls.
No, I mean she took me. I looked at her and then she decided I was hers, and she took me. I belonged to her before I even said hello.
Starting from the eyes, the electricity buzzes down their bodies with warp speed and it's like their hidden desires come alive.
This transformation created by Sierra is miraculous to read.
Nothing between me and her could ever be without pain.
Devon and Jenna "Jacey" Benjamin are two of these lovers sketched in alphabets by Sierra. They're bound by volatile lust. With War raging around them in Afghanistan 2010, they hunt down stolen pauses to explore their connection. Unable to keep their hands off of each other, thirsty and hungry for kisses and touches, they ravish on the banquet of feelings. Jacey thinks that their bellies full of love is enough......apparently it's not (insert MAJOR bawling moment here)
They separate by deception.
But Devon is livid
I know.
I’m coming.
It's a F/F pulsatingly passionate story. My first and I'm glad that my cherry pop was by articulate sierra.
What sultry vixens she's crafted with her pen, what vampiric love that feeds on souls. I'm in awe!
She wanted my dignity, my vulnerability, my doubt. That’s what she would feed on, that was her blood.
Love surprises us in the most enigmatic ways ..........and so does Sierra
5 stars for Hallelujah for Eternity
**********************************
Lush by marni Mann
Pepper is forlorn. Bale pierce gave her the best moments of her life and then vanished into thin air. Without a word!
Bale was gone—from my house, from the internet, from any documentation I had on him.
Leaving a resonating emptiness in her home, her club-Lush and her heart.
She misses his magical tongue, his deft hands, his biting rope.
Now he reappears like a ghost out of thin air, for mere 8 hours.
Should she let him in or throw him out? Maybe just a bit, enough to wet her lips even though it'll leave them thirsty for more.
I could completely wash Bale Pierce from my life. But I knew that wasn’t possible.
It's scorching hot and the burn feels oh so good to both pepper and us.
Marni is at her kinkiest best with this delectable morsel, go grab it !!!
4 stars for bada-bing anal!
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February 5, 2019
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
Music speaks to all of us, a single song can mean something unique to every individual person. Mixtape: A Love Song Anthology features the stories that a song tells to the authors featured in it. From the sweet to the erotic, Mixtape tells the stories of lust, loss, and love.
Many of the stories feature characters readers have been longing to hear from and for me, many were new. I had to get my hand on this anthology due to the authors in it, many I have loved for years, but I give this book 5 stars for the authors I didn't know or hadn't read in quite a while. Xio Axelrod was new to me, Toothpaste Kisses being the first taste of her writing, but I plan to devour her other works as soon as possible. Saffron A. Kent, my favorite age gap author, gives us a look at Fallon's future in Guys My Age, and Elle Kennedy takes us on a sweet, hilarious adventure to the tune of Always on My Mind, the Willie Nelson version. Don't even get me started on K.L. Kreig's contribution, I always want more of Kael and Killian.
The stories are all unique, many out of my usual comfort zone, but all fantastic. The anthology is pieced together well, the voices of the characters distinct, the individual story lines fleshed out despite their short length. Each of these stories left me wanting more, just the way an anthology should make you feel. Whether you know the authors, the characters, or they are all new for you, Mixtape is a must read.
ARC provided.
Music speaks to all of us, a single song can mean something unique to every individual person. Mixtape: A Love Song Anthology features the stories that a song tells to the authors featured in it. From the sweet to the erotic, Mixtape tells the stories of lust, loss, and love.
Many of the stories feature characters readers have been longing to hear from and for me, many were new. I had to get my hand on this anthology due to the authors in it, many I have loved for years, but I give this book 5 stars for the authors I didn't know or hadn't read in quite a while. Xio Axelrod was new to me, Toothpaste Kisses being the first taste of her writing, but I plan to devour her other works as soon as possible. Saffron A. Kent, my favorite age gap author, gives us a look at Fallon's future in Guys My Age, and Elle Kennedy takes us on a sweet, hilarious adventure to the tune of Always on My Mind, the Willie Nelson version. Don't even get me started on K.L. Kreig's contribution, I always want more of Kael and Killian.
The stories are all unique, many out of my usual comfort zone, but all fantastic. The anthology is pieced together well, the voices of the characters distinct, the individual story lines fleshed out despite their short length. Each of these stories left me wanting more, just the way an anthology should make you feel. Whether you know the authors, the characters, or they are all new for you, Mixtape is a must read.
ARC provided.
January 29, 2019
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book*
*review for ‘Guys My Age’ by Saffron A. Kent*
4.5 “Tiny” Stars
What can I say? Saffron never disappoints. There’s something to be said about Ms. Kent’s writing, she, without a doubt brings it every single time. And this novella is no different. It doesn’t matter the length, be it a full length novel, novella or short story, you still get the full effect no matter the amount of pages.
Guys My Age gave me all those feelings that a forbidden romance can give me. Oh, and did I mention, there’s an age gap? I am a sucker for age gap/forbidden romances and holy moly did I devour this deliciousness.
Ahhhhh, *jumps up and down* I freaking loved-loved-loved Dean and Fallon. My heart couldn’t take all the emotions I felt for these two, I couldn’t get enough! Oh how I wished for more, I neeeeeeded so much more.
If age gap/forbidden romances are your jam, I most definitely recommend this gem.
*review for ‘Guys My Age’ by Saffron A. Kent*
4.5 “Tiny” Stars
What can I say? Saffron never disappoints. There’s something to be said about Ms. Kent’s writing, she, without a doubt brings it every single time. And this novella is no different. It doesn’t matter the length, be it a full length novel, novella or short story, you still get the full effect no matter the amount of pages.
Guys My Age gave me all those feelings that a forbidden romance can give me. Oh, and did I mention, there’s an age gap? I am a sucker for age gap/forbidden romances and holy moly did I devour this deliciousness.
Ahhhhh, *jumps up and down* I freaking loved-loved-loved Dean and Fallon. My heart couldn’t take all the emotions I felt for these two, I couldn’t get enough! Oh how I wished for more, I neeeeeeded so much more.
If age gap/forbidden romances are your jam, I most definitely recommend this gem.
January 29, 2019
What an Anthology!! Make sure you preorder at 99c ❤️❤️
This one has something for everyone. You get M/M, F/F & M/F too. The heat levels varied between stories but all were page turners for me. I also found some new-to-me authors which I loved. Definitely recommend.
I received an arc of this book.
This one has something for everyone. You get M/M, F/F & M/F too. The heat levels varied between stories but all were page turners for me. I also found some new-to-me authors which I loved. Definitely recommend.
I received an arc of this book.
January 28, 2019
Review for Guys my Age by Saffron A Kent:
I love Saffron A. Kent’s stories because they never fail to leave me breathless, besotted, and simply aching to find something as intimate in real life as I do in her books. And, there is, of course, the audacious tradition of annihilating lines in the sand between men and women because her brand of quirky love transcends all orthodox social boundaries. This novella definitely lives up to this passionate fearless style, where the author takes on the seemingly complicated and discomforting topic of the ‘age gap’ between two characters.
Here's a little bit about them:
Dean, our older hero (*clutches chest and sighs*), is very self-driven professionally but a tad self-flagellating personally, when it comes to his attraction to the younger Fallon. So instead of facing down a beast of emotions, he flees to the West Coast, sequesters himself in a workaholic routine, and vaults his heart away from relationships entirely.
Fallon on the other hand is the adorable, eccentric, shy girl (classic SAK) who, for a long time, has had an all-consuming, terrifying to acknowledge (much less indulge), love for Dean. In a thinly veiled ruse she convinces him to embark on a road trip back to New York with the risqué intent of ending her sultry silent longing and have Dean finally see her as a woman.
I won’t spoil the story further but it is noteworthy that although this is novella I did find the plot very character driven compared to Kent’s longer works where there was usually more convoluted forces at play pulling strings and breathing wind in the sails of ships. It was refreshing, on the other hand, to actually to give characters back the simple power to control their own narrative and destiny. I think readers in the span of a few chapters, get more of a raw, real, and profoundly, indelibly moving performance from Dean and Fallon.
I’m really still at awe at Kent’s ability to develop such a vivid tale in this writing format; to have a proverbial albatross lift, a secret unravel, and love unfold itself naturally, beautifully to the point of literary perfection. The classic saying ‘short and sweet’ definitely applies because at times when a novel can feel like a full course meal, this novella here is the decadent equivalent of dessert with the right amount of taboo, angst and passion.
I encourage any reader with a sweet tooth for romance, regardless of their age, to dive in “Guys my Age” and to savor every line and sweet bite of it.
I love Saffron A. Kent’s stories because they never fail to leave me breathless, besotted, and simply aching to find something as intimate in real life as I do in her books. And, there is, of course, the audacious tradition of annihilating lines in the sand between men and women because her brand of quirky love transcends all orthodox social boundaries. This novella definitely lives up to this passionate fearless style, where the author takes on the seemingly complicated and discomforting topic of the ‘age gap’ between two characters.
Here's a little bit about them:
Dean, our older hero (*clutches chest and sighs*), is very self-driven professionally but a tad self-flagellating personally, when it comes to his attraction to the younger Fallon. So instead of facing down a beast of emotions, he flees to the West Coast, sequesters himself in a workaholic routine, and vaults his heart away from relationships entirely.
Fallon on the other hand is the adorable, eccentric, shy girl (classic SAK) who, for a long time, has had an all-consuming, terrifying to acknowledge (much less indulge), love for Dean. In a thinly veiled ruse she convinces him to embark on a road trip back to New York with the risqué intent of ending her sultry silent longing and have Dean finally see her as a woman.
I won’t spoil the story further but it is noteworthy that although this is novella I did find the plot very character driven compared to Kent’s longer works where there was usually more convoluted forces at play pulling strings and breathing wind in the sails of ships. It was refreshing, on the other hand, to actually to give characters back the simple power to control their own narrative and destiny. I think readers in the span of a few chapters, get more of a raw, real, and profoundly, indelibly moving performance from Dean and Fallon.
I’m really still at awe at Kent’s ability to develop such a vivid tale in this writing format; to have a proverbial albatross lift, a secret unravel, and love unfold itself naturally, beautifully to the point of literary perfection. The classic saying ‘short and sweet’ definitely applies because at times when a novel can feel like a full course meal, this novella here is the decadent equivalent of dessert with the right amount of taboo, angst and passion.
I encourage any reader with a sweet tooth for romance, regardless of their age, to dive in “Guys my Age” and to savor every line and sweet bite of it.
January 29, 2019
★4 STARS★
“Telling her I love her might just ruin our friendship, but watching her marry someone else? Means losing her forever.”
Moment of Truth is the story of Dean & Gabby, they’ve been best friends since childhood but it’s only in college that that they dare to confront their feelings about one another. There’s fear of rejection on both sides, but ultimately it’s the fear of ruining their treasured friendship that puts the kibosh on them taking things further.
Years later and Dean tormented by his missed opportunity when it looks as if Gabby will never be his in the way he feels she’s destined to be. He truly wanted what was best for her and I adored the way he put her feelings before his own to his detriment. I loved the heighten angst of the “will they, won’t they” combined the with what I felt to be genuine intimacy at the core of their relationship.
“I think I’ve loved you my whole life.”
I’ve long been a fan of Veronica Larsen’s storytelling. Whether it be a full length novel or a bite sized one such as MOMENT OF TRUTH, she leaves no emotional stone unturned.
May 14, 2020
5 STARS FOR GUYS MY AGE BY SAFFRON A. KENT!! Wow, a perfect forbidden novella!! Fallon and Dean's story will take your breath away, it is a sweet, beautiful, forbidden love story. If all the stories are like this you definitely want to 1-Click this book.
5 STARS FOR BROKEN HALLELUJAH!! This story took me by surprise in a good way that kept me flipping pages. It was hot and delicious with all the feels. Jace and Devon have a story that you need to hear. Sierra Simone is one of those authors that thinks outside the box and you love every word she writes and this one is no different.
5 STARS FOR BROKEN HALLELUJAH!! This story took me by surprise in a good way that kept me flipping pages. It was hot and delicious with all the feels. Jace and Devon have a story that you need to hear. Sierra Simone is one of those authors that thinks outside the box and you love every word she writes and this one is no different.
January 28, 2019
✲SAY YES by ELLE KENNEDY – Song: Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson – I’m in town for a wedding. We both swiped right and blew each other’s minds last night. But this morning? He looks a hell of a lot like the groom.
A deliciously sexy and light-hearted cat and mouse, where we meet Emilia who is at a hotel for the weekend, attending her friend’s wedding. In the mood for a one-night stand to release some pent-up sexual steam, she ‘swipes right’ on the delicious Dirk who is in the mood for one-night fling himself. Perfect, if she can get over his porn star name that is.
‘I could get addicted to this. I could really, really get addicted to this man.’
Sexy, warm and witty. Everything we’ve come to love from Elle Kennedy is bundled into this fun and flirty short story. A steamy night of sex, a case of mistaken identity and sizzling connection, but will this tryst prove more than a one-night stand and does Willie Nelson hold the key to their future?
✲YOUR EVERYTHING by KL KREIG – Song: I Just Want to be Your Everything by Andy Gibb – Some say no woman should come between brothers. Blood trumps all. Family first. Those people have not met Maverick DeSoto.
Oh wow! What a surprise it was to learn this story was a prequel to one of our favourite books, Black Swan Affair. That angsty, emotional and passionate story ripped our hearts out in 2016, and we still recall every emotion we experienced in that heart pounding and addictive read!
‘We both wanted the same woman. We’d both give anything to have her.’
In Your Everything, we go back Killian and Mavericks forbidden romance before the events of Black Swan Affair and it was fun catching up with these characters again. K L Kreig once again gives us a good dose of sexual chemistry, and hot alphaness as Mav and Killian begin their clandestine relationship before the eventual fallout. Oh boy, we relished this walk down memory lane!
✲THINK I’M IN LOVE by LESLIE McADAM – Song: Think I’m in Love by Beck – What’s worse than being in love with your best friend? Watching him propose to his girlfriend.
A sweet M/F – M/M friends to lovers’ story of enlightenment and self-discovery about three friends; Kim, Randy, and Shane. On the eve of Kim’s year long study abroad trip to Spain, Shane surprises everyone by impulsively proposing to Kim. She accepts, and Randy is perplexed, as he knows there is a connection between him and Shane.
“Randy. You’re my best friend. I want to always be your best friend. But we can never be anything more.”
When Kim leaves, Shane is forced to confront his feelings for Randy and enter all the confusion and conflict that lies therein. Randy desperately loves Shane, but Shane is scared to admit his feelings for Randy – small-town prejudice, parental acceptance all play a part. Can Shane face his feelings before it’s too late?
✲KISS ME by LYNDA AICHER – Song: Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran – A strong drink to mellow her frustrations is all Tara McTavish wants. Seeing the man who’d fired her the day before is not in her plans. But then, neither is going home with him.
A hot and spicy ex-boss/employee romance that steamed up the pages. Tara is down in the dumps after a mass lay off sees her out of work. Out commiserating with her friends, she comes face to face with her hot ex-boss, Daniel Marks, the man responsible for the layoffs…or is he?
‘She had to risk her heart in order to claim another’s, and no one had been worth the risk – until now.’
In his pov, we find Daniel has harboured feelings for Tara for some time, but ethically he couldn’t make a move. Now he is no longer her boss, he can make his move, and make his move he does! Enjoy seeing Daniel and Tara heating up the sheets and breaking down the walls around their hearts.
✲ALL I WANT by MARA WHITE – Song: All I Want to do is Make Love to You by Heart – Marilyn loves her husband, but she may love the idea of being a mother more. Will one night of passion with a beautiful stranger give her what she wants, or more than she bargained for?
A May to December romance about a woman’s all-consuming need to be a mother, and just like the song, Marylin embarks on sex with random strangers in the hope of conceiving the much-wanted child her older husband cannot give her. Marylin and Ove live an idyllic lifestyle and do love each other very much, but for Marylin life is incomplete without a child.
“Please don’t ruin m life,” she whispered to the stranger she knew so intimately…”
One rainy night she meets Decker, and after a night of lust fuelled passion, and a connection Marylin does her best to ignore, she disappears into the night knowing they had conceived a child. This compelling short story takes us years further than the song and we loved it! A beautiful epilogue was the cherry on top. A sizzling yet heart-warming story that felt complete.
✲LUSH by MARNI MANN – Song: S & M by Rihanna – There aren’t any secrets from me at my exclusive sex club, Lush. Not until the only man to ever tame me—the one who vanished in the middle of the night—turns up at the door.
A searing passionate and erotic story that left us wanting more! We need to know more! That ending, what a tantalising tease! A short but gripping erotic story of want, need, deceit and a passionate, albeit complicated and emotional love.
“I want you to remember something”, she said. I held her chin as I waited for her to continue. “You deserve to feel love. I want that for you, even if it’s not with me.”
Seriously, we were completely invested in Say Yes and desperately need to know how the events came about, what happened after the effect…we need more Pepper and Bale. Inspired by the song S & M, what a compelling and emotional short story!
✲SAY IT FIRST by NIKKI SLOANE – Song: Say It First by Sam Smith – I spend my days speeding around the track and my nights thinking about her—my new best friend and movie star Anna Douglas. Who’s going to win the race to admit we want to be more than just friends?
M/F Friends to lovers’ romance.
‘What if a hug made things weird? What if I put my arms around him and didn’t let go?’
A sweet and sexy romance about, Anna the actress who falls for NASCAR driver, Jamie- who she’s not seen since high school over 10 years ago. It all begins with a Facebook message. What starts as a friendship turns in to so much more but who will admit this fact first? Loved this one!
✲WILD PITCH by REBECCA SHEA – Song: Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran – I’m snowed in with the one person from my past who broke my heart. Someone forbidden…my first love…my brother’s best friend.
M/F Second chance friends to lovers’ romance.
“One of us would have sacrificed their dream for the other.”
Mateo and Mia haven’t seen each other in four years after one amazing kiss. Mia has never forgotten this kiss and still loves her brother’s friend. When they find themselves isolated in a snowed-in cabin the truth comes out, as does that hot passionate connection that never faded.
✲GUYS MY AGE by SAFFRON A KENT – Song: Guys My Age by Hey Violet – He’s older — much older, experienced and freaking gorgeous. Oh, and mine. He just doesn’t know it yet.
M/F Age gap erotic romance with friends to lovers theme.
“You want to know what love is, Fallon? Let me tell you what love is. It’s a burn. An explosion.”
This is a story about 18 year old Fallon and 33 year old Dean, who is very protective of her. Fallon asked Dean to marry her when she was 3 and Dean was 17 and have loved him ever since. Now she just has to convince him he loves her back and she has a cunning plan on how to do just that! A somewhat sweet and erotic short story.
✲BROKEN HALLELUJA by SIERRA SIMONE – Song: Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley – A kinky, wartime love affair once swept Marine Jacey Benjamin off her feet—until the hero she longed for chose power over love. Now her hero is back and ready to have Jacey kneeling before her once again, if only Jacey will say yes…
F/F A BDSM army second chance erotic romance.
‘I want to eat your light, she told me once right before she bit the skin over my heart.’
Jacey and Devon met in the army whilst on tour and for Jacey the attraction was instantaneous. Told in past and present this is one effed up story of love and betrayal. A highly emotional and hot short story.
✲MOMENT OF TRUTH by VERONICA LARSEN – Song: Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur – Telling her I love her might just ruin our friendship, but watching her marry someone else? Means losing her forever.
M/F Friends to lovers’ second chance romance.
‘Can she hear my heart beating? It’s where she belongs.’
Oh gosh we loved this one and it has made us want to read more from this Author! Albeit a short story it felt complete, full of emotion and beauty with romantic desperation. Dean and Gabby were childhood friends with a mutual protective friendship which turned into a deep-rooted love. As adults will they confront this love or will the missed chances win?
✲TOOTHPASTE KISSES by XIO AXELROD – Song: Toothpaste Kisses by The Maccabees – Starting over is Mal’s idea of hell and the last thing on his mind is freaking office décor. But this painting? It haunts him. So, does the handsome and intriguing artist who may have inadvertently opened a window into Mal’s soul.
M/M Sweet and hot romance.
‘How could he survive this man? Having Malcolm Zaha’s full attention was like standing in front of a roaring fire.’
Malcom is starting over after his partner in their law firm and life upped and left. Malcom needs a distraction and new Art in his office according to his assistant. This new artist, Pell proves to be the perfect cure. Intense, hot and sweet. We loved it!
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January 17, 2019
Loved the idea of this. Songs that make a story! All. In!! All of these authors are awesome story tellers, and to have them all in one book was just phenomenal! Most definitely a One-click book! Every story was great.
January 29, 2019
~*~*~*~ IT’S LIVE!!! ~*~*~*~
My review only pertains to KL Kreig’s My Everything and Rebecca Shea’s Wild Pitch.
Kreig's submission to this anthology was a prequel of her excellent mindfuck of a book "Black Swan Affair." I had no idea that this would be the case, so imagine my surprise to get a second serving of one of the most anticipated releases (and top reads) of 2016. Just like the full-length novel, it's a smart, sexy, edge of your seat kind of read. If you've already read Black Swan Affair, then enjoy this extra snippet. If not, I recommend reading this, then Black Swan Affair (my review) for full effect.
Shea's submission to this anthology did not disappoint. A childhood/first love all grown up... And there's no way around it: Mateo is freaking hot. To be alone with him in a secluded cabin, as Mia was, with only his hot self to keep me warm... (fanning self) Where was I? Hmmm... Right... A review. I'm not usually a fan of sports romances (Mateo happens to be a baseball player), but that isn't the storyline here: it's a side plot. I recommend Mateo and Mia's story for a quick, steamy romp that you'll wish you were part of.
My review only pertains to KL Kreig’s My Everything and Rebecca Shea’s Wild Pitch.
Kreig's submission to this anthology was a prequel of her excellent mindfuck of a book "Black Swan Affair." I had no idea that this would be the case, so imagine my surprise to get a second serving of one of the most anticipated releases (and top reads) of 2016. Just like the full-length novel, it's a smart, sexy, edge of your seat kind of read. If you've already read Black Swan Affair, then enjoy this extra snippet. If not, I recommend reading this, then Black Swan Affair (my review) for full effect.
Shea's submission to this anthology did not disappoint. A childhood/first love all grown up... And there's no way around it: Mateo is freaking hot. To be alone with him in a secluded cabin, as Mia was, with only his hot self to keep me warm... (fanning self) Where was I? Hmmm... Right... A review. I'm not usually a fan of sports romances (Mateo happens to be a baseball player), but that isn't the storyline here: it's a side plot. I recommend Mateo and Mia's story for a quick, steamy romp that you'll wish you were part of.
January 5, 2019
Growing up as an 80's kid where mixtapes were LIFE had me super excited about this anthology. Add in the fact that it had several of my favorite authors and I knew it would be a hit for me. An anthology about songs that hold a special memory, what could be better than that?
Guys My Age by Saffron A. Kent
I love everything that this author writes. EVERYTHING. Yet, giving me a story like this one where she puts her taboo on something so beautiful and then with a bonus surprise of who these characters really are had me GIDDY. This author can put a spin on the taboo like few other authors without it seeming creepy. Her skill with creating an image or articulating her thoughts in such a poetic way is truly mindboggling which is just one of the many reasons I savor each word as if it was caviar. If you are a fan of this author and have read everything that she has written then this is a must read. Trust me. You will understand after reading it.
Say it First by Nikki Sloane
I loved this novella. I was sad it wasn't longer because I truly wanted to see what the future had in store for Jamie and Anna. There was so much potential for angst and an eventual HEA in the future for these two. Even being short, the author did a great job fleshing out characters and a storyline that didn't leave a bunch of details out which was a remarkable feat.
Broken Hallelujah by Sierra Simone
This book took me totally by surprise. It did not follow the usual storyline of romantic love interests which made it all that much more interesting. Even with this not being a favorite for me (because I like a certain type) it didn't change the fact that this author can write steam with the best of them.
Say Yes by Elle Kennedy
I love how this author always can make simple sentences or inner musings of the character make me laugh ot loud. This is yet another story that I wish had been a full story. Even though the novella was exceptionally done, it is a premise that has not been done enough. I had to laugh at Emilia's little "mix-up" when she came back to confess something. One of the simplest and best epilogues ever in any book too!
All I want by Mara White
Very different story than I was expecting. A part of me loved it and another part of me didn't. I struggled because I had so many questions that I wanted answered. The ending made me think about how much fate and the universe is involved in creating miracles.
Toothpaste Kisses by Xio Axelrod
This is the first time reading this author so I wasn't sure what to expect. I rarely read m/m but this was very well done. The author knows how to build on the chemistry and create a very memorable story.
Wild Pitch by Rebecca Shay
A very fast-paced story of acting on previous feelings in a second chances type romance. Mateo and Mia were first loves separated and finally rediscovering their feelings in a snowstorm.
Your Everything by KL Kreig
SWEET Jesus. This is the prequel to Black Swan Affair, a book that totally gobsmacked me. This prequel added sooooo much to that story that it makes me want to go back and reread it again. I had forgotten how much I was torn with love for Maverick, Killian, and Kael.
Think I'm in Love by Leslie McAdam
This novella had a lot of trying to come to terms with one's sexuality type angst that I was not expecting. The author did a great job in this m/m novella. This was a first-time author for me.
Moments of Truth by Veronica Larsen
This was a poignant and beautiful novella. The anticipation and longing that I felt in this story made my heart ache. To say that I loved this little gem of a novella would be an understatement. I want, no I need, more words about Gabby and Dean.
Lush by Marnie Mann
Sweet Holy titfire. Bale and Pepper give new meaning to the word HOT. Out of all the stories, this one frustrated me the most because I need more of this story like I needed air to breathe. It was THAT good. I now need to go stalk this author and by stalk I mean observe closely.
Kiss me by Lynda Aicher.
This is a first time reading this author and one that I will be looking for more of from the future. I really liked the direction that this author took with the main character. It was refreshing to see a boss that actually had a soft spot. Daniel wasn't redeemed so to speak where he saw the errors of his ways. It had been there all along and was more of a behind the scenes type of guy. I liked how he persued Tara in order to find their HEA.
Guys My Age by Saffron A. Kent
I love everything that this author writes. EVERYTHING. Yet, giving me a story like this one where she puts her taboo on something so beautiful and then with a bonus surprise of who these characters really are had me GIDDY. This author can put a spin on the taboo like few other authors without it seeming creepy. Her skill with creating an image or articulating her thoughts in such a poetic way is truly mindboggling which is just one of the many reasons I savor each word as if it was caviar. If you are a fan of this author and have read everything that she has written then this is a must read. Trust me. You will understand after reading it.
Say it First by Nikki Sloane
I loved this novella. I was sad it wasn't longer because I truly wanted to see what the future had in store for Jamie and Anna. There was so much potential for angst and an eventual HEA in the future for these two. Even being short, the author did a great job fleshing out characters and a storyline that didn't leave a bunch of details out which was a remarkable feat.
Broken Hallelujah by Sierra Simone
This book took me totally by surprise. It did not follow the usual storyline of romantic love interests which made it all that much more interesting. Even with this not being a favorite for me (because I like a certain type) it didn't change the fact that this author can write steam with the best of them.
Say Yes by Elle Kennedy
I love how this author always can make simple sentences or inner musings of the character make me laugh ot loud. This is yet another story that I wish had been a full story. Even though the novella was exceptionally done, it is a premise that has not been done enough. I had to laugh at Emilia's little "mix-up" when she came back to confess something. One of the simplest and best epilogues ever in any book too!
All I want by Mara White
Very different story than I was expecting. A part of me loved it and another part of me didn't. I struggled because I had so many questions that I wanted answered. The ending made me think about how much fate and the universe is involved in creating miracles.
Toothpaste Kisses by Xio Axelrod
This is the first time reading this author so I wasn't sure what to expect. I rarely read m/m but this was very well done. The author knows how to build on the chemistry and create a very memorable story.
Wild Pitch by Rebecca Shay
A very fast-paced story of acting on previous feelings in a second chances type romance. Mateo and Mia were first loves separated and finally rediscovering their feelings in a snowstorm.
Your Everything by KL Kreig
SWEET Jesus. This is the prequel to Black Swan Affair, a book that totally gobsmacked me. This prequel added sooooo much to that story that it makes me want to go back and reread it again. I had forgotten how much I was torn with love for Maverick, Killian, and Kael.
Think I'm in Love by Leslie McAdam
This novella had a lot of trying to come to terms with one's sexuality type angst that I was not expecting. The author did a great job in this m/m novella. This was a first-time author for me.
Moments of Truth by Veronica Larsen
This was a poignant and beautiful novella. The anticipation and longing that I felt in this story made my heart ache. To say that I loved this little gem of a novella would be an understatement. I want, no I need, more words about Gabby and Dean.
Lush by Marnie Mann
Sweet Holy titfire. Bale and Pepper give new meaning to the word HOT. Out of all the stories, this one frustrated me the most because I need more of this story like I needed air to breathe. It was THAT good. I now need to go stalk this author and by stalk I mean observe closely.
Kiss me by Lynda Aicher.
This is a first time reading this author and one that I will be looking for more of from the future. I really liked the direction that this author took with the main character. It was refreshing to see a boss that actually had a soft spot. Daniel wasn't redeemed so to speak where he saw the errors of his ways. It had been there all along and was more of a behind the scenes type of guy. I liked how he persued Tara in order to find their HEA.
January 24, 2019
*Updated to say that I am working my way through all the stories and holy moly, they are all INCREDIBLE. What a collection!!!!!!
Review for Guys My Age by Saffron A Kent
Well damn. Kent gave us what we have all been craving for since the end of Medicine Man: a glimpse of Simon and Willow's daughter Fallon and whether or not her crush as a 3 year old on Dean still held true. And I am here to say that yes (!!), 15 years later those feelings have not died, and with a car ride from California to New York in the cards for Dean and Fallon, it seems the time has come for truths and admissions of a love that was clearly fated right from the start.
I honestly had no idea what Guys My Age would be about. But I am thrilled to see that Fallon has inherited both the good and not so good from her parents and handles all of her feelings and apprehension of being her age with a grace that could only come from such a great upbringing. She's clearly her mother's daughter and won't stop at anything to make Dean see her as not just that kid he helped raise but as the woman with more to offer than just simple companionship.
Once again, Kent's words flow effortlessly and I was just overjoyed to get just a little more from these well-written characters. The all-consuming affection Fallon has for Dean is sweet and tender and truly touching. And as for Dean, let's just say he's definitely matured quite well. I'm crushing him just as hard as I did for Simon. Fingers crossed these two can make a real go of it and we get an update or twelve every once in a while.
A great start for me of this Anthology, I will be back to update my progress as I dive into more of these wonderful stories.
5 stars all the way!
Review for Guys My Age by Saffron A Kent
Well damn. Kent gave us what we have all been craving for since the end of Medicine Man: a glimpse of Simon and Willow's daughter Fallon and whether or not her crush as a 3 year old on Dean still held true. And I am here to say that yes (!!), 15 years later those feelings have not died, and with a car ride from California to New York in the cards for Dean and Fallon, it seems the time has come for truths and admissions of a love that was clearly fated right from the start.
I honestly had no idea what Guys My Age would be about. But I am thrilled to see that Fallon has inherited both the good and not so good from her parents and handles all of her feelings and apprehension of being her age with a grace that could only come from such a great upbringing. She's clearly her mother's daughter and won't stop at anything to make Dean see her as not just that kid he helped raise but as the woman with more to offer than just simple companionship.
Once again, Kent's words flow effortlessly and I was just overjoyed to get just a little more from these well-written characters. The all-consuming affection Fallon has for Dean is sweet and tender and truly touching. And as for Dean, let's just say he's definitely matured quite well. I'm crushing him just as hard as I did for Simon. Fingers crossed these two can make a real go of it and we get an update or twelve every once in a while.
A great start for me of this Anthology, I will be back to update my progress as I dive into more of these wonderful stories.
5 stars all the way!
Want to read
May 11, 2020
GUYS MY AGE by SAFFRON A KENT - 5*
Guys My Age by Her Violet
So Sweet and SO freaking HoT!!! Eighteen yr old Fallon has loved Dean her entire life. He just happens to be 13 years older than her. Fallon decides it's time for him to find out how she feels. I adored this story. This doesn't surprise me because Saffron A Kent is the bomb dot com.
A nice surprise - Fallon is the daughter of Simon and Willow from Medicine Man!!
SAY IT FIRST by Nikki Sloane -
Say It First by Sam Smith
BROKEN HALLELUJAH by Sierra Simone -
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
SAY YES by ELLE KENNEDY -
Always On My Mind by Willie Nelson
ALL I WANT by Mara White -
All I Want To Do Is Make Love To You by Heart
TOOTHPASTE KISSES by Xio Axelrod -
Toothpaste Kisses by The Maccabees
WILD PITCH by Rebecca Shea -
Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
YOUR EVERYTHING by KL KREIG -
I Just Want To Be Your Everything by Andy Gibb
I LOVED Black Swan Affair SO much and these characters are from that book!!
THINK I'M IN LOVE by LESLIE MCADAM -
Think I'm In Love by Beck
MOMENT OF TRUTH by Veronica Larsen -
Say You Won't Let Go by James Arthur
LUSH by Marni Mann -
S + M by Rihanna
KISS ME by Lynda Aicher -
Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran
Guys My Age by Her Violet
So Sweet and SO freaking HoT!!! Eighteen yr old Fallon has loved Dean her entire life. He just happens to be 13 years older than her. Fallon decides it's time for him to find out how she feels. I adored this story. This doesn't surprise me because Saffron A Kent is the bomb dot com.
A nice surprise - Fallon is the daughter of Simon and Willow from Medicine Man!!
SAY IT FIRST by Nikki Sloane -
Say It First by Sam Smith
BROKEN HALLELUJAH by Sierra Simone -
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
SAY YES by ELLE KENNEDY -
Always On My Mind by Willie Nelson
ALL I WANT by Mara White -
All I Want To Do Is Make Love To You by Heart
TOOTHPASTE KISSES by Xio Axelrod -
Toothpaste Kisses by The Maccabees
WILD PITCH by Rebecca Shea -
Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
YOUR EVERYTHING by KL KREIG -
I Just Want To Be Your Everything by Andy Gibb
I LOVED Black Swan Affair SO much and these characters are from that book!!
THINK I'M IN LOVE by LESLIE MCADAM -
Think I'm In Love by Beck
MOMENT OF TRUTH by Veronica Larsen -
Say You Won't Let Go by James Arthur
LUSH by Marni Mann -
S + M by Rihanna
KISS ME by Lynda Aicher -
Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran
February 4, 2019
Elle Kennedy was THE best. It put a huge smile on my face.
February 8, 2019
I received a copy and voluntarily left a review and all opinions are my own.
(Review of Moment of Truth by Veronica Larsen)
I could not wait to read Moment of Truth for several reasons. The first being that I have fallen madly in love with Veronica Larsen's writing. She makes her characters so beautifully flawed and their stories so heartfelt that you start to feel as if there a friend and not a fictional character. I was also excited to read the story when I found out that she used one of my favorite song “Say You Won't Let Go” by James Arther as inspiration, since it is part of a mixtape anthology. Then add in that Dean and Gabby are friends on a journey that leads to the heart and between the sheets and I was ready and willing to get to know this angsty couple.
Dean has developed feelings for his childhood best friend and he plans on confessing to her on Valentine's Day. That is until....well, I can't tell you now can I? From the moment Dean spotted Gabby at the bar with all his feelings and desires overflowing for the girl he grew up with, I just knew that he was a hero that I wanted to keep in my clutches and couldn't wait to see their love story play out.
Gabby was a heroine that I wanted to hug and comfort in sympathy one minute and shake some sense into her in the next. With all the yumminess that Dean has to offer, how could any woman possibly resist? Veronica made us privy to all Gabby's indecision and ambiguous feelings to the point where I felt it was me riddled with the conflict instead of her.
What more could you ask of a writer than to have you sitting with your heart opened wide, biting your nails, waiting breathlessly for the love that is on the line to dazzle you with it's brilliance. Veronica Larsen delivers a short story that is big on emotions, passion, and a friendship that becomes so much more. I highly recommend “Moment Of Truth” from the Mixtape Anthology for a romance that will steal your heart and warm you in all the right places.
(Review of Moment of Truth by Veronica Larsen)
I could not wait to read Moment of Truth for several reasons. The first being that I have fallen madly in love with Veronica Larsen's writing. She makes her characters so beautifully flawed and their stories so heartfelt that you start to feel as if there a friend and not a fictional character. I was also excited to read the story when I found out that she used one of my favorite song “Say You Won't Let Go” by James Arther as inspiration, since it is part of a mixtape anthology. Then add in that Dean and Gabby are friends on a journey that leads to the heart and between the sheets and I was ready and willing to get to know this angsty couple.
Dean has developed feelings for his childhood best friend and he plans on confessing to her on Valentine's Day. That is until....well, I can't tell you now can I? From the moment Dean spotted Gabby at the bar with all his feelings and desires overflowing for the girl he grew up with, I just knew that he was a hero that I wanted to keep in my clutches and couldn't wait to see their love story play out.
Gabby was a heroine that I wanted to hug and comfort in sympathy one minute and shake some sense into her in the next. With all the yumminess that Dean has to offer, how could any woman possibly resist? Veronica made us privy to all Gabby's indecision and ambiguous feelings to the point where I felt it was me riddled with the conflict instead of her.
What more could you ask of a writer than to have you sitting with your heart opened wide, biting your nails, waiting breathlessly for the love that is on the line to dazzle you with it's brilliance. Veronica Larsen delivers a short story that is big on emotions, passion, and a friendship that becomes so much more. I highly recommend “Moment Of Truth” from the Mixtape Anthology for a romance that will steal your heart and warm you in all the right places.
January 18, 2019
The Mixtape Anthology was filled with amazing reads right down my alley. Please see reviews for some of the books below:
Saffron Kent - Boys My Age
Good Lord!! Where is there a fan when you need one?! This story is a quick and short story based on Fallon and Dean, characters we will remember from Kent's Medicine Man. When Fallon, at three years old, told Dean at (seventeen years old) that she was going to marry him, she was not kidding. This story was sexy and delicious and filled with the requisite taboo goodness that Kent is known for. I absolutely FLOVED this story and wish we could have more! Bravo! ~Ratula
*
Nikki Sloane - Say It First
Say It First was a really fun friends to lovers story. I enjoyed how swoony the story was. Jamie and Anna were cute and delicious. I loved their intial meet cute and how a High school reunion was how they reconnected. It was sexy and delicious with the typical hot and steamy times from this author! ~Ratula
*
Say Yes - Elle Kennedy
Say Yes was such a fantastic story. Emilia was sassy and real and just so fun. I loved her initial meeting with Dirk and their hot and sexy attraction. I absolutely love Wedding connection stories and thought this was just delicious! I loved their initial app meet cute and how they both knew what they wanted. Now I want more! ~Ratula
*
Lush - Marni Mann
Lord. Have I been waiting for Pepper's story from seeing her in Mann's best selling The Company series. She has piqued my interest from the get go and I seriously could not wait. And let me just say.. this story did not disappoint!!! Pepper and Bale were on FIRE!! My heart was on my throat the entire time feeling the connection between them. But that ending and allllll the unanswered questions?! GAH. I need more! ~Ratula
Saffron Kent - Boys My Age
Good Lord!! Where is there a fan when you need one?! This story is a quick and short story based on Fallon and Dean, characters we will remember from Kent's Medicine Man. When Fallon, at three years old, told Dean at (seventeen years old) that she was going to marry him, she was not kidding. This story was sexy and delicious and filled with the requisite taboo goodness that Kent is known for. I absolutely FLOVED this story and wish we could have more! Bravo! ~Ratula
*
Nikki Sloane - Say It First
Say It First was a really fun friends to lovers story. I enjoyed how swoony the story was. Jamie and Anna were cute and delicious. I loved their intial meet cute and how a High school reunion was how they reconnected. It was sexy and delicious with the typical hot and steamy times from this author! ~Ratula
*
Say Yes - Elle Kennedy
Say Yes was such a fantastic story. Emilia was sassy and real and just so fun. I loved her initial meeting with Dirk and their hot and sexy attraction. I absolutely love Wedding connection stories and thought this was just delicious! I loved their initial app meet cute and how they both knew what they wanted. Now I want more! ~Ratula
*
Lush - Marni Mann
Lord. Have I been waiting for Pepper's story from seeing her in Mann's best selling The Company series. She has piqued my interest from the get go and I seriously could not wait. And let me just say.. this story did not disappoint!!! Pepper and Bale were on FIRE!! My heart was on my throat the entire time feeling the connection between them. But that ending and allllll the unanswered questions?! GAH. I need more! ~Ratula
January 24, 2019
*
Read more of my reviews at Whoo Gives A Hoot
*
🎵 GUYS MY AGE by Saffron A Kent 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Guys My Age is another classic Saffron A Kent forbidden romance and oh my freaking goodness I am over here swooning because ever since devouring Medicine Man last year I have wanted Fallon and Dean's story. My heart is still on fire and all I can say is that I desperately need more of their story...seriously please tell me this isn't all we are getting because I believe that their story deserves a full-length novel! I will just say that readers will get the perfect amount of swoon and heat, but they will certainly be left craving more!
🎵 SAY IT FIRST by Nikki Sloane 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐.5]
Say It First was a super sweet romance that I absolutely adored. Jamie and Anna managed to captivated my heart and I loved every second of this story. I thought that Nikki Sloane did an amazing job developing this story with it being so short. I would definitely read their story again if the author decided to extend on it. The characters chemistry was well developed, which is often difficult with such a short story, but the author did it so effortlessly (or so it seems)!
🎵 BROKEN HALLELUJAH by Sierra Simon 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Surprisingly Broken Hallelujah was my first taste of Sierra Simon's writing, but I hope to change that soon because WOW this story was really good. I am usually not a huge fan of F/F, but Jacey and Devon's romance was very well written and I thought the author did an amazing job developing their story. If this was to be extended into a full length novel I might check it out because if the author was able to pack this much into a few short chapters I couldn't imagine how amazing it would be with more of a storyline!
🎵 SAY YES by Elle Kennedy 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Say Yes by Elle Kennedy was AMAZING and the only complaint I have is that I wanted more! This is one of my all-time favorite authors and I was super excited that she took part in this anthology! This was a fun, sweet, witty and all around sexy story that had me swooning. Emilia and Dirk had this smoking hot connection and I loved their chemistry! Who knew a random hookup could be this entertaining...heck what am I say...this author ALWAYS brings it with her stories!
🎵 ALL I WANT by Mara White 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐.5]
All I Want is one of my favorites from Mara White and my goodness I was so excited to read her story. Marilyn and Ove's story left me breathless and emotional all at the same time. My heart ached for them and I kept my fingers crossed they would get what they wanted most in life! This was a sexy and super sweet romance. This was definitely another amazing Mara White original!
🎵 TOOTHPASTE KISSES by Xio Axelrod 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Toothpaste Kiss by Xio Axelrod was INCREDIBLE and it also happens to be my first taste of this author's writing. Just telling you all that this author might have a new stalker...oops I meant fan! Not many people know this (haha just kidding) but I love M/M so when I discovered that this story was one I couldn't wait to dive in. Holy freaking moly! Malcolm and Pell's chemistry was on FIRE and my chest is legit burning up right now! I need more from this author, and SOON!
🎵 WILD PITCH by Rebecca Shea 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Rebecca Shea is the kind of author that never disappoints and Wild Pitch was no exception! This was a sweet and fast-paced second chance romance between Mateo (love this name) and Mia. Oh and did I mention this all happens during a snowstorm...talk about the perfect time to reignite a romance! THIS STORY WAS AH-FREAKING-MAZING and you won't be disappointed if you give this one a try!
🎵 YOUR EVERYTHING by KL Kreig 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐]
So it turns out that I have never read one of KL Kreig's books before, but I am happy to say that is no longer the truth. Your Everything was an interesting read and I guess it's a prequel to Black Swan Affair. After reading this short story I am actually interested in checking it out! I have to say that I really enjoyed the characters and the storytelling was captivating! Great first experience of the author's writing!
🎵 THINK I'M IN LOVE by Leslie McAdam 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]
I FREAKING love Leslie McAdam and you all she wrote an extraordinary M/M romance. Think I’m In Love was hands down one of my favorite reads from this anthology, but honestly that really isn't all that surprising to me because this author ALWAYS manages to captivate me whole body, heart and soul! Her storytelling is so unique and the writing is incredible. I almost forgot I was reading a short story...at least until I suddenly reached the end. Now I am sitting here shouting that I desperately NEED more of Shane and Randy! PLEASE don't tell me that this is ALL we are getting, although it was REALLY GOOD!
🎵 MOMENT OF TRUTH by Veronica Larsen 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Seems like I found another NEW TO ME author! Moment of Truth features two best friends that seem perfect for each other, and yet they deny their feelings because they don't want to ruin their friendship. I absolutely love a good friends-to-lovers romance, so let's just say I was really interested in this one. Gabby and Dean's chemistry was immediately evident, at least in my opinion, and these two had my heart aching within moments of meeting them! Veronica Larsen's writing was beautifully developed and the storytelling captivated my attention. After reading this I certainly need to check out more books from this author, and SOON!
🎵 LUSH by Marni Mann 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Although this happens to be my first time reading one of Marni Mann's books, I do happen to have many of her stories on my TBR list right now. If they are as amazing as this story then I totally need to dive into one of them soon. Lush is one of those stories that will have you blushing and leave you completely breathless both during and after reading the story. Bale and Pepper's chemistry was SIZZLING HOT...so hot that I thought my kindle was going to burst in flames at any second!
🎵 KISS ME by Lynda Aicher 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐]
Once again this is a NEWBIE author to me and I thought that the story was interesting. Although this wasn't one of my favorite reads in the anthology, Kiss Me was very well written and I liked the development of the romance between Tara and Daniel. Oh and did I mention that he was her boss before she was sacked...yep you read that right. Make sure to pick this one up to find out what happens between these two!
🎵 GUYS MY AGE by Saffron A Kent 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Guys My Age is another classic Saffron A Kent forbidden romance and oh my freaking goodness I am over here swooning because ever since devouring Medicine Man last year I have wanted Fallon and Dean's story. My heart is still on fire and all I can say is that I desperately need more of their story...seriously please tell me this isn't all we are getting because I believe that their story deserves a full-length novel! I will just say that readers will get the perfect amount of swoon and heat, but they will certainly be left craving more!
🎵 SAY IT FIRST by Nikki Sloane 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐.5]
Say It First was a super sweet romance that I absolutely adored. Jamie and Anna managed to captivated my heart and I loved every second of this story. I thought that Nikki Sloane did an amazing job developing this story with it being so short. I would definitely read their story again if the author decided to extend on it. The characters chemistry was well developed, which is often difficult with such a short story, but the author did it so effortlessly (or so it seems)!
🎵 BROKEN HALLELUJAH by Sierra Simon 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Surprisingly Broken Hallelujah was my first taste of Sierra Simon's writing, but I hope to change that soon because WOW this story was really good. I am usually not a huge fan of F/F, but Jacey and Devon's romance was very well written and I thought the author did an amazing job developing their story. If this was to be extended into a full length novel I might check it out because if the author was able to pack this much into a few short chapters I couldn't imagine how amazing it would be with more of a storyline!
🎵 SAY YES by Elle Kennedy 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Say Yes by Elle Kennedy was AMAZING and the only complaint I have is that I wanted more! This is one of my all-time favorite authors and I was super excited that she took part in this anthology! This was a fun, sweet, witty and all around sexy story that had me swooning. Emilia and Dirk had this smoking hot connection and I loved their chemistry! Who knew a random hookup could be this entertaining...heck what am I say...this author ALWAYS brings it with her stories!
🎵 ALL I WANT by Mara White 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐.5]
All I Want is one of my favorites from Mara White and my goodness I was so excited to read her story. Marilyn and Ove's story left me breathless and emotional all at the same time. My heart ached for them and I kept my fingers crossed they would get what they wanted most in life! This was a sexy and super sweet romance. This was definitely another amazing Mara White original!
🎵 TOOTHPASTE KISSES by Xio Axelrod 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Toothpaste Kiss by Xio Axelrod was INCREDIBLE and it also happens to be my first taste of this author's writing. Just telling you all that this author might have a new stalker...oops I meant fan! Not many people know this (haha just kidding) but I love M/M so when I discovered that this story was one I couldn't wait to dive in. Holy freaking moly! Malcolm and Pell's chemistry was on FIRE and my chest is legit burning up right now! I need more from this author, and SOON!
🎵 WILD PITCH by Rebecca Shea 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Rebecca Shea is the kind of author that never disappoints and Wild Pitch was no exception! This was a sweet and fast-paced second chance romance between Mateo (love this name) and Mia. Oh and did I mention this all happens during a snowstorm...talk about the perfect time to reignite a romance! THIS STORY WAS AH-FREAKING-MAZING and you won't be disappointed if you give this one a try!
🎵 YOUR EVERYTHING by KL Kreig 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐]
So it turns out that I have never read one of KL Kreig's books before, but I am happy to say that is no longer the truth. Your Everything was an interesting read and I guess it's a prequel to Black Swan Affair. After reading this short story I am actually interested in checking it out! I have to say that I really enjoyed the characters and the storytelling was captivating! Great first experience of the author's writing!
🎵 THINK I'M IN LOVE by Leslie McAdam 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]
I FREAKING love Leslie McAdam and you all she wrote an extraordinary M/M romance. Think I’m In Love was hands down one of my favorite reads from this anthology, but honestly that really isn't all that surprising to me because this author ALWAYS manages to captivate me whole body, heart and soul! Her storytelling is so unique and the writing is incredible. I almost forgot I was reading a short story...at least until I suddenly reached the end. Now I am sitting here shouting that I desperately NEED more of Shane and Randy! PLEASE don't tell me that this is ALL we are getting, although it was REALLY GOOD!
🎵 MOMENT OF TRUTH by Veronica Larsen 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Seems like I found another NEW TO ME author! Moment of Truth features two best friends that seem perfect for each other, and yet they deny their feelings because they don't want to ruin their friendship. I absolutely love a good friends-to-lovers romance, so let's just say I was really interested in this one. Gabby and Dean's chemistry was immediately evident, at least in my opinion, and these two had my heart aching within moments of meeting them! Veronica Larsen's writing was beautifully developed and the storytelling captivated my attention. After reading this I certainly need to check out more books from this author, and SOON!
🎵 LUSH by Marni Mann 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐⭐]
Although this happens to be my first time reading one of Marni Mann's books, I do happen to have many of her stories on my TBR list right now. If they are as amazing as this story then I totally need to dive into one of them soon. Lush is one of those stories that will have you blushing and leave you completely breathless both during and after reading the story. Bale and Pepper's chemistry was SIZZLING HOT...so hot that I thought my kindle was going to burst in flames at any second!
🎵 KISS ME by Lynda Aicher 🎵 - [⭐⭐⭐]
Once again this is a NEWBIE author to me and I thought that the story was interesting. Although this wasn't one of my favorite reads in the anthology, Kiss Me was very well written and I liked the development of the romance between Tara and Daniel. Oh and did I mention that he was her boss before she was sacked...yep you read that right. Make sure to pick this one up to find out what happens between these two!
January 14, 2019
Think I'm in Love by Leslie McAdam is included in the Mixtape: A Love Song Anthology. It can be read as a standalone however this is a must read if you have read Sombra. This is Shane and Randy's story.
Shane makes a decision to propose to his girlfriend, Kim, before she leaves for Spain. His reason for proposing is another story.
Randy is shocked by Shane's proposal but he's up for the fight. The fight for true love. Can Shane move past his insecurities and accept his one true love?
I love this quickie. I was excited to find out what transpired between Shane and Randy when Kim went off to Spain and the story did not disappoint! 5 Stars
Shane makes a decision to propose to his girlfriend, Kim, before she leaves for Spain. His reason for proposing is another story.
Randy is shocked by Shane's proposal but he's up for the fight. The fight for true love. Can Shane move past his insecurities and accept his one true love?
I love this quickie. I was excited to find out what transpired between Shane and Randy when Kim went off to Spain and the story did not disappoint! 5 Stars
January 24, 2019
**READ THEM ALL; LOVED THEM ALL**
The perfect playlist of tender, sweet, angsty and erotic treats.
When this anthology was announced, I screeched. It contained so many of my favorite authors (Paige, Sloane, Simone, Kent...), I knew I was in for a treat. That alone was worth the price of admission.... What I didn't expect was to be so spectacularly impressed by the authors I DIDN'T know. I'm normally not an anthology girl- but this was like the perfect box of chocolates: Each story had its own flavor, but every one was wicked and delicious.
The perfect playlist of tender, sweet, angsty and erotic treats.
When this anthology was announced, I screeched. It contained so many of my favorite authors (Paige, Sloane, Simone, Kent...), I knew I was in for a treat. That alone was worth the price of admission.... What I didn't expect was to be so spectacularly impressed by the authors I DIDN'T know. I'm normally not an anthology girl- but this was like the perfect box of chocolates: Each story had its own flavor, but every one was wicked and delicious.
January 29, 2019
3 stars. This a cute idea for an anthology. Each author chose a song and wrote a story based on the lyrics to the song. There are a several stories I really liked, several I did not enjoy very much, and a few that were just okay, so I am rating this 3 stars. In general, I liked this anthology and felt it was worth reading.
Here are my thoughts about the stories:
Guys My Age by Saffron A. Kent- 3 stars. This story was about a 3 year old little girl who was best friends with a teenage boy and told him she wanted to marry him. Flash forward to when she is 18 and can finally tell him she loves him and wants to be with him. This story was only okay for me. The heroine felt immature and the hero wasn't very nice. They stated they loved each other, but I didn't feel it.
Say It First by Nikki Sloane - 3.5 stars. The story of two high school classmates that made it big, but weren't close in high school, who get talking again over a Facebook post about their high school reunion. This was a pretty cute and entertaining story. It was a safe, easy read. I would have liked a more secure HEA ending but I know that's hard to get in such a short story.
Broken Hallelujah by Sierra Simone- 2 stars. Not my cup of tea. A F/F story that was very angsty, overly drama filled and had BDSM. I didn't really like the characters.
Say Yes by Elle Kennedy - 3.75 stars. This was a fun story about a girl that has a one night stand the night before her friend's wedding only to find out it was with the groom's twin brother. I liked this story a lot. It was very funny and cute. Again, I would have liked a more secure HEA ending but I know that's hard to get in such a short story. One of my favorites of the anthology.
All I Want by Mara White - 2 stars. This story was about a wife who cheated on her much older husband in order to get pregnant. This was another one that was not my cup of tea. I didn't really like either character. It contained cheating and I found the story strange. The writing was not bad though.
Toothpaste Kisses by Xio Axelrod - 2 stars. This was another miss for me. Slow moving, MM story. I never felt any love or chemistry and found it not interesting.
Wild Pitch by Rebecca Shea - 2 stars. This story bothered me. The hero decided they couldn't be together and needed to be apart for "reasons". Now 4 years later, they happen to see each other and he decides the "reasons" are up and they can be together now. The heroine just jumps at the chance. I couldn't get on board with that.
Your Everything y K. L. Kreig - 2 stars. I found it a confusing story. At the end, we find out this story was a prequel to a series where this couple is in a love triangle. I think we are supposed to know the story already and the set-up from having read that series, but I hadn't and it wasn't clear enough for me to understand.
Think I'm in Love by Leslie McAdam - 2.5 stars. An angsty, MM, friends to lovers story. I liked Randy (hated his name) and felt bad for him, but did not like Shane very much. He treated Randy badly. The ending is a cliffy so there was no pay off for me for the angst.
Moment of Truth by Veronica Larsen - 2.5-3 stars. This story was okay. Best friends to lovers, but I felt it took too long for them to get out of the friend zone and I didn't feel any chemistry.
Lush by Marni Mann - 3.25 stars. This was the story of a female sex club owner who fell for one of her male customers, only for him to disappear and reappear much later. I liked this story, but I felt the ending was too open-ended. I needed a more secure future for the couple.
Kiss Me by Lynda Aicher - 3.75 stars. This story was my favorite of the anthology. This is the story of a woman who gets fired when her company downsizes and meets her ex-boss in a bar that night only to find out why she was let go and that he has strong feelings for her. It was sexy and romantic. I felt it was missing something in that we never get to hear the hero tell the heroine what exactly his feelings were, but I liked it nonetheless.
As you can see, it was a mixed bag of stories for me, but several of them I really enjoyed. My favorites were by Lynda Aicher, Elle Kennedy and Nikki Sloane, which are already some of my favorite authors. There is a lot of variety of stories and authors in this anthology so there is something for everyone. It is definitely worth picking up!
*arc provided in exchange for an honest review*
Here are my thoughts about the stories:
Guys My Age by Saffron A. Kent- 3 stars. This story was about a 3 year old little girl who was best friends with a teenage boy and told him she wanted to marry him. Flash forward to when she is 18 and can finally tell him she loves him and wants to be with him. This story was only okay for me. The heroine felt immature and the hero wasn't very nice. They stated they loved each other, but I didn't feel it.
Say It First by Nikki Sloane - 3.5 stars. The story of two high school classmates that made it big, but weren't close in high school, who get talking again over a Facebook post about their high school reunion. This was a pretty cute and entertaining story. It was a safe, easy read. I would have liked a more secure HEA ending but I know that's hard to get in such a short story.
Broken Hallelujah by Sierra Simone- 2 stars. Not my cup of tea. A F/F story that was very angsty, overly drama filled and had BDSM. I didn't really like the characters.
Say Yes by Elle Kennedy - 3.75 stars. This was a fun story about a girl that has a one night stand the night before her friend's wedding only to find out it was with the groom's twin brother. I liked this story a lot. It was very funny and cute. Again, I would have liked a more secure HEA ending but I know that's hard to get in such a short story. One of my favorites of the anthology.
All I Want by Mara White - 2 stars. This story was about a wife who cheated on her much older husband in order to get pregnant. This was another one that was not my cup of tea. I didn't really like either character. It contained cheating and I found the story strange. The writing was not bad though.
Toothpaste Kisses by Xio Axelrod - 2 stars. This was another miss for me. Slow moving, MM story. I never felt any love or chemistry and found it not interesting.
Wild Pitch by Rebecca Shea - 2 stars. This story bothered me. The hero decided they couldn't be together and needed to be apart for "reasons". Now 4 years later, they happen to see each other and he decides the "reasons" are up and they can be together now. The heroine just jumps at the chance. I couldn't get on board with that.
Your Everything y K. L. Kreig - 2 stars. I found it a confusing story. At the end, we find out this story was a prequel to a series where this couple is in a love triangle. I think we are supposed to know the story already and the set-up from having read that series, but I hadn't and it wasn't clear enough for me to understand.
Think I'm in Love by Leslie McAdam - 2.5 stars. An angsty, MM, friends to lovers story. I liked Randy (hated his name) and felt bad for him, but did not like Shane very much. He treated Randy badly. The ending is a cliffy so there was no pay off for me for the angst.
Moment of Truth by Veronica Larsen - 2.5-3 stars. This story was okay. Best friends to lovers, but I felt it took too long for them to get out of the friend zone and I didn't feel any chemistry.
Lush by Marni Mann - 3.25 stars. This was the story of a female sex club owner who fell for one of her male customers, only for him to disappear and reappear much later. I liked this story, but I felt the ending was too open-ended. I needed a more secure future for the couple.
Kiss Me by Lynda Aicher - 3.75 stars. This story was my favorite of the anthology. This is the story of a woman who gets fired when her company downsizes and meets her ex-boss in a bar that night only to find out why she was let go and that he has strong feelings for her. It was sexy and romantic. I felt it was missing something in that we never get to hear the hero tell the heroine what exactly his feelings were, but I liked it nonetheless.
As you can see, it was a mixed bag of stories for me, but several of them I really enjoyed. My favorites were by Lynda Aicher, Elle Kennedy and Nikki Sloane, which are already some of my favorite authors. There is a lot of variety of stories and authors in this anthology so there is something for everyone. It is definitely worth picking up!
*arc provided in exchange for an honest review*
January 29, 2019
I'm usually not a fan but I was excited for this Anthology.
1. Who didn't like mixed tapes growing up?!?
2. How can you not what to read with so much talent in one place?
Once I started I couldn't put it down. Some of these authors are favorites of mine and some are new to me. But I am happy I ready the entire book. All the stories were pretty good.
Guys My Age by Saffron A. Kent - 5 stars
No one does age gap reads quite like Kent does. I was so excited for Dean and Fallon's story and I was not disappointed. My only complaint is that it was to short. LOL Fallon reminded me so much like her mother. And I loved Dean's protectiveness over her over the years. This story was filled with angst, and a whole lot of sexual tension. And much love.
Say it First by Nikki Sloane - 4 stars
This is my first read by this author. I really enjoyed Jamie and Anna's story. I loved how they reconnected and talked before they actually met up. It was a fun quick read.
Broken Hallelujah by Sierra Simone - 4 stars
I'm a huge fan of Sierra Simone's. This story was a little different then what she normally writes due to the fact it was a FF read. Simone broke my cherry. I enjoyed the storyline but I'm not sure that I'm a fan of the whole FF thing. This was story of betrayal and forgiveness.
Say Yes by Elle Kennedy - 5 stars
This was my first read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It was fun and flirty. Had me laughing out loud. The chemistry between the characters was pretty steamy. I will definitely check out other books by this author.
All I Want by Mara White - 3.5 stars
I had mixed feelings about this story. I understand wanting a child so badly you will do anything to have one. But this was going a little to far. Yeah I know. It's fiction. I did however like the authors writing and parts of the story.
Toothpaste Kisses by Xio Axelrod - 3.5
This was my first read by this author. I have a hard time reading stories told in third person. I'm a little spoiled. I like when books are written in the POV of the main characters. But I was able to read through. It was a good read about starting over and new beginnings.
Wild Pitch by Rebecca Shea - 5 stars
This was such a great read. I love Shea's writing. Mateo and Mia have loved each other for years but life has gotten in the way. And when Mateo walked away from Mia years ago he ruined everything. Now he's back. But is it to late? This was a sexy read. One that is good to curl up with on a cold winters night. In front of a nice warm fire.
Your Everything by K.L. Kreig - 5 stars
This was such a great read!!!!! Makes me want to go back and read Black Swan Affair. It will have you on the edge of your seat flipping pages. And leave you wanting more if you haven't read the other books that go with this story.
Think I'm In Love by Leslie McAdam- 5 stars
I absolutely loved this story by Leslie. I was excited to hear we were going to get Shane and Randy's story. You meet Shane and Randy from another story of McAdam's called Sombra. This was an emotional read. It's a story about finding ones self. And being true to who are and the ones you love. It was a beautifully written story.
Moment of Truth by Veronica Larsen - 5 stars
This is my first read by this author and I loved everything about it. I found myself wanting to reach through the pages and knocking some sense into Dean and Gabby at times. LOL I couldn't put stop flipping the pages with this story.
Lush by Marni Mann - 3.5
This is my first read by this author. I enjoyed the mystery of the story. For me something was missing. I don't know if was the passion between the characters. But the ending left me wanting more.
Kiss Me by Lynda Aicher - 4 stars
This was my first read by this author. It was a quick sexy read. And sometimes you shouldn't judge until you know all the facts.
This was such a fun Anthology. Again one of the best ones I've read. All of the stories are worth reading.
1. Who didn't like mixed tapes growing up?!?
2. How can you not what to read with so much talent in one place?
Once I started I couldn't put it down. Some of these authors are favorites of mine and some are new to me. But I am happy I ready the entire book. All the stories were pretty good.
Guys My Age by Saffron A. Kent - 5 stars
No one does age gap reads quite like Kent does. I was so excited for Dean and Fallon's story and I was not disappointed. My only complaint is that it was to short. LOL Fallon reminded me so much like her mother. And I loved Dean's protectiveness over her over the years. This story was filled with angst, and a whole lot of sexual tension. And much love.
Say it First by Nikki Sloane - 4 stars
This is my first read by this author. I really enjoyed Jamie and Anna's story. I loved how they reconnected and talked before they actually met up. It was a fun quick read.
Broken Hallelujah by Sierra Simone - 4 stars
I'm a huge fan of Sierra Simone's. This story was a little different then what she normally writes due to the fact it was a FF read. Simone broke my cherry. I enjoyed the storyline but I'm not sure that I'm a fan of the whole FF thing. This was story of betrayal and forgiveness.
Say Yes by Elle Kennedy - 5 stars
This was my first read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It was fun and flirty. Had me laughing out loud. The chemistry between the characters was pretty steamy. I will definitely check out other books by this author.
All I Want by Mara White - 3.5 stars
I had mixed feelings about this story. I understand wanting a child so badly you will do anything to have one. But this was going a little to far. Yeah I know. It's fiction. I did however like the authors writing and parts of the story.
Toothpaste Kisses by Xio Axelrod - 3.5
This was my first read by this author. I have a hard time reading stories told in third person. I'm a little spoiled. I like when books are written in the POV of the main characters. But I was able to read through. It was a good read about starting over and new beginnings.
Wild Pitch by Rebecca Shea - 5 stars
This was such a great read. I love Shea's writing. Mateo and Mia have loved each other for years but life has gotten in the way. And when Mateo walked away from Mia years ago he ruined everything. Now he's back. But is it to late? This was a sexy read. One that is good to curl up with on a cold winters night. In front of a nice warm fire.
Your Everything by K.L. Kreig - 5 stars
This was such a great read!!!!! Makes me want to go back and read Black Swan Affair. It will have you on the edge of your seat flipping pages. And leave you wanting more if you haven't read the other books that go with this story.
Think I'm In Love by Leslie McAdam- 5 stars
I absolutely loved this story by Leslie. I was excited to hear we were going to get Shane and Randy's story. You meet Shane and Randy from another story of McAdam's called Sombra. This was an emotional read. It's a story about finding ones self. And being true to who are and the ones you love. It was a beautifully written story.
Moment of Truth by Veronica Larsen - 5 stars
This is my first read by this author and I loved everything about it. I found myself wanting to reach through the pages and knocking some sense into Dean and Gabby at times. LOL I couldn't put stop flipping the pages with this story.
Lush by Marni Mann - 3.5
This is my first read by this author. I enjoyed the mystery of the story. For me something was missing. I don't know if was the passion between the characters. But the ending left me wanting more.
Kiss Me by Lynda Aicher - 4 stars
This was my first read by this author. It was a quick sexy read. And sometimes you shouldn't judge until you know all the facts.
This was such a fun Anthology. Again one of the best ones I've read. All of the stories are worth reading.
February 2, 2019
Say It First by Nikki Sloane.
Nice story about two celebrities who used to know each other in high school. In spite of not being the best friends then but only acquaintances, they forged a very strong friendship when they got back in touch. Funny and charming in its own way, a enjoyable read to those who love this kind of friends to lovers theme.
Guys My Age by Saffron A. Kent.
I didn't expect this to be the story of Simon's daughter, the Hero of Medicine Man. But it was a pleasant surprise. Since Fallon suffered from clinical depression just like her mother, I would have liked to see a bit of that, not just her crying because he was flirting with the waitress. I feel that although Dean was a thirty year old adult he behaved like a teenager in denial about his feelings for her and that bothered me a bit. But in itself it was an interesting and sweet story.
Nice story about two celebrities who used to know each other in high school. In spite of not being the best friends then but only acquaintances, they forged a very strong friendship when they got back in touch. Funny and charming in its own way, a enjoyable read to those who love this kind of friends to lovers theme.
Guys My Age by Saffron A. Kent.
I didn't expect this to be the story of Simon's daughter, the Hero of Medicine Man. But it was a pleasant surprise. Since Fallon suffered from clinical depression just like her mother, I would have liked to see a bit of that, not just her crying because he was flirting with the waitress. I feel that although Dean was a thirty year old adult he behaved like a teenager in denial about his feelings for her and that bothered me a bit. But in itself it was an interesting and sweet story.
January 29, 2019
Saffron is a literary Maestro!!
As soon as I saw the author line up for this one, I knew for certain this would totally be my jam.
Not a second-stringer among them!
I can't wait to get through all of the stories and will be back with full reviews for each of them.
After all, it's not over til the 'phat' lady sings and all that jazz.
For now, far be it from me to ever doubt the ability of Saffron to make me sing the praises of an anthology!
Her naughty novella included a special treat for all of the devoted fans of Medicine Man. Demonstrating once again her uniquely talented writing skills, Saffron has written another angsty, forbidden, somewhat taboo storyline that always seem to strike a chord with me. Some might say that I sound like a broken record, but what can I say...Fallon & Dean played my heart like a fiddle!
This is so much fun. Hehe!
My initial reaction as posted on FB:
How. Do. You. Do. It?!?!♥️👅♥️👅
Good GAWD that was off the charts HOT!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I wanted to lick my Kindle just on the off chance it might possibly taste & smell like Dean...he was total thigh clenching goodness Saffron!!!
Honestly...I felt like an actual voyeur watching every scene play out in my head.
I really want to curse to emphasize just how much I enjoyed that novella, but all I can hear is Dean reprimanding me!!! 😂
#language
#Deantookcareofmetoo
#Saffronismydefinitionofromance
#watchmereaditagainbeforebedtonight
If you've met Simon and Willow, the you are well aware of the warrior power that must course through the veins of their precious Fallon. Despite the powerful need that Dean had to try and run the show and "call the tune" as they say, Fallon clearly showed him that she marches to the beat of her own drum when she orchestrates their road trip together.
Basically, Fallon has been in love with Dean for 15 years and can't imagine that ever changing. Even though a large age gap exists between the two, and Dean is determined to fight his attraction towards her, Fallon is equally determined to force him to face the music and change his tune. There is no way she can reconcile herself to sharing herself and what would be akin to enduring a life of elevator music with another man.
With an incredible amount of affection, anticipation, chemistry and sexual tension existing between these walking, talking, 3D versions of human hormones, it's only a matter of time before they are no longer able to fight the urge to tango. Like every tango that has come before them, it is HOT! Very few authors can combine the flavorful notes of sweet and seductive with the same flare as Saffron. As per her usual, she does it with bells on, delivering sweet music to your eyes and ears.
Releasing January 29th for a song at just $0.99 on Amazon, a little time with Dean & Fallon will have even the most tone deaf among you Whistling Dixie.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
January 13, 2019
What an anthology! I absolutely loved how each story was inspired by a song. Most of all I loved the variety of stories and tropes. There is something for everyone! M/m fans there are stories in here for you and for the first time I can recall, there is a f/f story too! And not to worry for all you exclusive m/f readers there are a lot of amazing stories for you too!
I was familiar with a few of the authors but am super excited to have read some new ones whose writing really appealed to me!
And most of all, you can't beat the 99 cents price tag. This anthology is worth a lot more, so do yourself a favor and get it! You'll regret it if you don't!
I was familiar with a few of the authors but am super excited to have read some new ones whose writing really appealed to me!
And most of all, you can't beat the 99 cents price tag. This anthology is worth a lot more, so do yourself a favor and get it! You'll regret it if you don't!
January 13, 2019
If this book is anything like ‘Moment of Truth’ by Veronica Larsen, then this is a must read!
I absolutely loved Moment of Truth! Gabby and Dean were great characters, believable and relatable. They were best friends since childhood, but neither Gabby or Dean wanted to mess up their friendship to explore more. Gabby is engaged to married someone else, the perfect guy, giving her the perfect life. Dean, well, Dean needs to make the most important decision of his life, it’s the Moment of Truth. Veronica Larsen’s writing is so perfect, rather than reading, it plays like a movie in your mind. Moment of Truth truly was amazing!
I absolutely loved Moment of Truth! Gabby and Dean were great characters, believable and relatable. They were best friends since childhood, but neither Gabby or Dean wanted to mess up their friendship to explore more. Gabby is engaged to married someone else, the perfect guy, giving her the perfect life. Dean, well, Dean needs to make the most important decision of his life, it’s the Moment of Truth. Veronica Larsen’s writing is so perfect, rather than reading, it plays like a movie in your mind. Moment of Truth truly was amazing!
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