A USA Today Bestseller!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, featuring a foreword written by NYT bestselling author Laurelin Paige. Press PLAY on this limited-edition collection that’s guaranteed to make you swoon.***GUYS MY AGE – Saffron A. Kent… swoon.
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GUYS MY AGE – Saffron A. Kent
He’s older — much older, experienced and freaking gorgeous. Oh, and mine. He just doesn’t know it yet.
SAY IT FIRST – Nikki Sloane
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?
BROKEN HALLELUJAH – Sierra Simone
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…
SAY YES – Elle Kennedy
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.
ALL I WANT – Mara White
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?
TOOTHPASTE KISSES – Xio Axelrod
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.
WILD PITCH – Rebecca Shea
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.
YOUR EVERYTHING – K.L. Kreig
Some say no woman should come between brothers. Blood trumps all. Family first. Those people have not met Maverick DeSoto.
THINK I’M IN LOVE – Leslie McAdam
What’s worse than being in love with your best friend? Watching him propose to his girlfriend.
MOMENT OF TRUTH – Veronica Larsen
Telling her I love her might just ruin our friendship, but watching her marry someone else? Means losing her forever.
LUSH – Marni Mann
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.
KISS ME – Lynda Aicher
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.
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A FABULOUS COLLECTION OF STORIES
A great collection of sexy stories, and now, new authors to follow.
This collection of short stories was a perfect mix of heat, love, and angst. Every story grabbed me from the start and left me wanting more. Each story was a quick shot that felt exactly like listening to a mixtape and brought out all the emotions you find in the songs associated with them. I loved the idea of baking each story on a song. For me, it helped build a better connection in a quicker time. I loved this anthology and would definitely recommend it to everyone!
I couldn’t resist one-clicking this Mixtape Anthology. Having a whole slew of stories inspired by music is a wonderful idea. Music can be so powerful. It can transport us back to places and times that we long forgot about and bring a smile to our face. Our brain recalls the words to songs like we never stopped singing them and we get to relive amazing memories. And this is why each story will mean something different to every reader, as we all get to relive our own beautiful memories while we experience a short romantic story.
This author lineup was just too amazing to pass up. One author specifically caught my eye, and I simply could not resist getting a KL Krieg fix. I’m looking forward to reading all these short stories.
Here are my reviews in the order I read them:
YOUR EVERYTHING by KL KRIEG – 5 stars
Her musical inspiration, I Just Want To Be Your Everything by Andy Gibb, is one of my all-time favourite songs and it brought back a rush of romantic memories from my younger years.
This is a prequel to her best-selling novel Black Swan Affair, which I have owned since release week but have not yet read. Shame on me – I know! Now after reading Your Everything, I adore Killian and Maverick and want nothing more than to see them together, but I anticipate there is trouble to come, and I don’t know if my heart can take it. I’m not sure if I’m happy I have read this short story before BSA, but it was great to see the POV of Killian and in true KL style, she brought the heat and had me swooning for more. It was great to read more of her words.
Review of Broken Hallelujah by Sierra Simone
“She wanted a bigger prize—my soul, my essence. My everything. I want to eat your light, she told me once right before she bit the skin over my heart.”
Sierra, your words inspire and warm the heart. Grabs ahold of your insides and sends your senses on a rollercoaster ride of pure sexual emotion. Thank you for speaking the words that feed our souls. I love how you speak to me, Thank you for bringing us along for the ride.
This story needed to be written to show that Love is open to anyone willing to take a chance. The chemistry and emotion between these two had you chomping at every word. Sierra has a way of hooking you in the first few words and her stories have a way of intertwining there way into your soul.
This is a fun and flirty emotional read by Sierra, you will be glad you stopped by.
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.
GUYS MY AGE:
Forbidden angst is kent’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!!!!!
Well done and very well written 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 right.
ALL I WANT:
**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 together that fateful night.
It’s a BRILLIANTLY written story , very short, 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.!!!
5 stars for the Luckiest sonofabitch
BROKEN HALLELUJAH:
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!
Love surprises us in the most enigmatic ways ……….and so does Sierra
5 stars for Hallelujah for Eternity
LUSH:
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.
It’s scorching hot and the burn feels oh so good to both pepper and us.
Marni is her naughtiest best in thsi delectable morsel, go grab it !!!
4 stars
Mixtape brings together a fabulous group of Authors and their wonderful words. My particular favourite is Broken Hallelujah by Sierra Simone. It maybe a short read but it still delivers. It’s beautifully written, extremely sensual and tells us that love, true love will always win the day. What’s not to love about a happy ending?
Growing up music was always something that could be heard throughout my home. All it took was that one special song to take me back to some of my most cherished memories. I loved how Mixtape: A Love Song Anthology used music to weave some amazing novellas that had me glued to my Kindle trying to read through each one as quickly as I could.
Guys My Age by Saffron A. Kent – This little spinoff from Medicine Man had me all kinds of excited. I always enjoy a great age gap and these two had me hanging on every word. I loved Fallon and Dean’s story and want more asap!!
Say It First by Nikki Sloane- Anna and Jamie went to high school together in small town Kentucky. Years later Jamie is a Nascar driver and Anna is a up and coming actress when they unexpectedly reconnect via Facebook. I enjoyed watching these two fall in spite of the distance between them.
Broken Hallelujah by Sierra Simone- I was amazed at how much emotion and angst the author was able to infuse this novella with. Jacey and Devon’s story had me hooked from start to finish.
Say Yes by Elle Kennedy- I absolutely loved the setup for this story. Emilia and Dirk kept me entertained and laughing out loud throughout this fun, captivating and delicious read.
All I Want by Mara White- From the get go I was a bit intrigued since this song wasn’t one I was familiar with. After listening to it I realized quickly the author picked the perfect song for this novella. Marilyn and Decker’s story is one of fate and getting what you most long for.
Toothpaste Kisses by Xio Axelrod- This was my first time reading this author and I was hooked. Malcolm and Pell’s chemistry leapt off the pages of my Kindle. I loved the vivid imagery the author used and can’t wait to read more.
Wild Pitch by Rebecca Shay- I love second chance romances and Mateo and Mia’s story hooked me from the start. The setting and history they shared had me rooting for them fairly quickly.
Your Everything by KL Kreig- This was one of my favorite reads. When I realized it was a prequel I quickly added the next book to the top of my TBR list. The angst and push and pull in this story have me wanting more of Kael, Killian and Maverick asap!
Think I’m In Love by Leslie McAdams- I love when an author takes me by surprise like I was with this read. I went in thinking the story was going to go one way and was thrilled when it didn’t. I can’t wait to read more about this trio.
Moment of Truth by Veronica Larsen- Oh the angst and feels in this story drew me in like a moth to the flame. Dean and Gabby pulled at my emotions and had them scattered all over. I need more of their story.
Lush by Marni Mann- This novella was such a captivating little tease. I was a bit frustrated when I reached the end because I loved Pepper and Bale’s story and am greedy for more!
Kiss Me by Lynda Aicher- This sweet second chance/office romance was a great introduction to this author’s work.
While eagerly reading this anthology from cover to cover I discovered fantastic new authors and a few new favorite reads. I loved the spin each author put on their story and the eclectic mix of songs chosen. After reading Mixtape I feel the need need to add some songs to my playlist and a few books to my TBR list.This anthology was amazing and I am blown away by the talent packed within the pages of this book.
*Will be updating as I read each story*
Love love love the idea of 2 of my favorite things together music and books and by some of my favorite authors, joy abounds here.
Guys My Age by Saffron A Kent – Omg boy was I excited for this one, when I heard that Fallon and Dean would get their own thing I was one happy girl, I mean getting anything from Saffron is like all my favorite holidays rolled into one but I always love seeing where characters from other books are now and getting to hear about their children is something special. You can definitely tell whose child Fallon is, her mother especially. She knew what she wanted, she stood her ground and man did I love her mouth. She’s one of my favorite kind of characters who fights demons every day even when it feels impossible and comes out stronger. I’m a sucker for age gaps and boy did this deliver. I loved the connection between Dean and Fallon and how you could tell how much he loved her even when he pushed her away, it shows what a great guy he is (even if he’s a bit of an ass at times) that he really was just trying to do the “right” thing but where’s the fun in that *grins*. Love is messy and not always easy and doesn’t belong in the lines that society makes for us. And boy when these two come together *boom* fireworks of love, lust, years of longing, tenderness, and everything naughty and nice.
Wow wow wow! Saffron knows how to bring the heat, even in a novella! Guys My Age is a short story about Dean and Fallon from Medicine Man. Without giving much away, think of this: age gap, angst, and smoking hot scenes.
I can always count on Saffron to deliver one hell of a story, and this did not disappoint. If you read Medicine Man, you’ll definitely want to read this little follow up!
Guys My Age by Saffron A Kent will grip you like no other! Short yet sweet and angsty, Guys My Age is another fabulous forbidden and age-gap love story from Saffron A Kent! This story gives us a glimpse into Fallon’s life, Simon and Willow’s daughter from from the epic angsty read,Medicine Man, and how she has been in love with the man of her dreams for 15 years. Her unwavering love is what drives her to reveal her feelings to him and makes her determined to show him that she’s no longer the kid who grew up to be his best friend but rather, the woman who now craves for his affections and love. How i loved this couple! How i loved reading their love story! And how i wish for MORE AND MORE of Fallon and Dean!!
I freaking LOVE the idea of this anthology! 12 brand new stories written by 12 authors all inspired by Love Songs!!! A built in mixtape play list- I LOVE it! I flew through this collection.
Guys My Age – Saffron Kent: This is a childhood love story as well as an age gap story. I have loved Saffron’s writing since I read The Unrequited. Her writing is amazing. And this novella is no exception. Fans of Saffron this story is related to Medicine Man :). Of course they fight it (or at least he does) but that chemistry… oh that chemistry. Guys My Age is a sweet and hot story… and now I am even more excited to read Medicine Man!
Say it First – Nikki Sloane: GAH I love Nikki Sloane. Love her Blindfold Club Series. And this one- while not related- will enjoy the reference to the series :). This is a forbidden relationship between Anna and Jamie went to high school together but have not seen each other in many years. They didn’t run in the same circles. But bonding over an invitation back for a reunion the two reconnect. Anna is now a famous actress staring in a wink wink very popular sexy movie. Jamie is an up and coming NASCAR driver. This story was both sweet (and funny!) and really sexy (it is Nikki Sloane after all)! I definitely want more from this couple and hope to see them get a longer book 🙂
Broken Hallelujah – Sierra Simone. Sierra is an all time favorite author for me. She writes sexy and intelligent stories and her characters are always well developed and her stories addicting. Broken Hallelujah is no different. It’s based on a biblical story and her take on it, as well as the song, is fascinating. This is a second chance story with a F/F story. It was a very emotional and hot read.
Say Yes – Elle Kennedy: This was one of my favorites! It was so cute. In town for a wedding, armed with a fake name/story these two swiped right and blew each others minds! Just in it for a good time (yeah that always works out lol) until the next day… when everything goes wrong! This story was so cute and fun. I loved the characters and I would love to see this novella expanded.
All I Want – Mara White: OMG this one blew us away!!! The premise of this anthology is stories based on or inspired by love songs. And Mara knocked it out of the park. Seriously. Listen to the lyrics of her song/watch the music video and then read her story. It couldn’t match any closer! Mara’s story is about all kinds of love. Love for a husband. Love for a child. And the crazy journey love sometimes takes us. Fantastic. Mara is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
Toothpaste Kisses – Xio Axelrod: This is the first story I’ve read by Xio, and I really enjoyed it! We got well developed characters and I loved the premise- it was really cute. Can you imagine falling for someone before every meeting them- because of something they created? Malcolm kind of does this- after seeing a painting done by a mysterious artist. This story was very cute and I would be interested in reading this author again.
Wild Pitch – Rebecca Shea: I love this author so much. This is a friends-to-lovers and second chance story… not to mention a brother’s best friend story! It’s been four years since Mateo and Mia shared an amazing kiss and now they find themselves snowed in family cabin where the heat between them burns bright. Wild Pitch is a cute story- I hope we get to see this one get expanded to a full length story!
Your Everything – KL Kreig. OMG I was so freaking exciters for htis one!!! BLACK SWAN AFFAIR YASSS! BSA is one of my FAVORITES and this is… wait for it… a prequel to it! GAH! Everything you think you know and feel for these already favorite characters… well put that aside. You will love them even more!!! Especially if you are TeamKillian. Either way- you get more BSA and that is always a good thing. I immediately wanted to read BSA again. I love that story so much. I loved this one so freaking much and can’t wait to read more KL!
Think I’m in Love – Leslie McAdam: This is the first time I’ve read this author. Her story was super cute and was about three childhood friends and what happens when they start getting honest about their feelings. This is definitely just the start to a full length novel and it will get you excited to see what happens next.
Moment of Truth – Veronica Larsen. Veronica. Gah I love her so much. She does angst so well- but what always makes me smile is when she does humor. And this story had both. It’s a friends-to-lovers and second chance story. And I loved it so much. What happens when two best friends have feelings for each other but are afraid to act on it. This story was so well developed and I was impressed how much she fit into a novella. I can’t wait to read more.
Lush – Marni Mann: Oh I love Marni. Okay, I admit it, I love most of these authors. But Marni is a favorite. And this is Pepper’s story (she makes an appearance in Marni’s agency series). Pepper owns a sex club and controls EVERYTHING… but you know, what happens when they get down to business ;). This novella is just a tease for what needs to be a future full-length story and I can’t wait!
Kiss Me – Lynda Aicher: This is another new author for me. It was a cute story that was kind of a work place romance… specifically an ex-boss/employee relationship. Daniel always had feelings for Tara but could never act on it because he was her boss… but he isn’t now. It was a cute second chance kind of story.
This anthology was AMAZING. I thought it was really creative and well executed. I loved the mix of songs the authors chose and their own spin on each of them. So much fun to read and I can’t wait for more from them!
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.
I’ve only read Broken Hallelujah from Sierra Simone so far! Loved it! I love military based stories especially if they’re mostly accurate lol I’m sure this whole anthology is amazing just looking at all of the authors who are featured in it. Amazing indies!
This review is strictly for Saffron A. Kent’s ‘Guys My Age’, although I can’t wait to read the remainder of this anthology.
I was so excited to see Dean and Fallon again after meeting them in Medicine Man. For a short story, man does this one pack a punch. It was sweet, sexy and left me wanting more! If you love a forbidden romance, you DO NOT want to pass this one up! I wa definitely not ready for this story to end and would love for them to have their own book, pretty please!! Saffron, you hooked me from the very first sentence!
Mixtape is a great collection of stories. All the songs are based from love songs. I love reading an thology’s, because I get to read some of my favorite authors, but I also get introduced to new ones.
My review is based on Moment of Truth by Veronica Larsen
Gabby and Dean grew up together and over time they started to have feeling for eachother but both of them are afraid to make a move and lose their friendship. I enjoyed their story, their love is what I want for me.
The perfect playlist, The perfect story’s
I’ll start by saying that this whole Mixtape: A Love Song Anthology amazing book And I recommends read every story and story there.
My review to ‘Guys My Age’ by the fabulous Saffron A. Kent – The story of Dean and Fallon.
We meet them in a nutshell in her amazing book Medicine Man which no doubt who has not yet read must read.
Dean and Fallon is a short story, but Saffron knows how to build the tension between the characters, to bring us a plot that you want more, and never disappointing.
Since this is a novella and I don’t want to destroy this charming story in Spoilers, I tell you, go and read. You will not be disappointed. And you’ll fall in love like me on Dean and Fallon.
Let me start out by saying there are a lot of new to me authors in this anthology. I picked up this book after I read Medicine Man by Saffron A. Kent and found out her novella would be about Fallon and Dean, who we met briefly in Medicine Man. When I received Mixtape: A Love Song Anthology, I went straight to reading Guys My Age, which is Fallon and Dean’s story. Their story is short but we got so much out of it; great storyline, lovable characters and steamy scenes. I love Fallon and Dean’s bond and chemistry so much. I hope this isn’t the end of them because I would love to read more Fallon and Dean.
Review for GUYS MY AGE by Saffron A. Kent
Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! I had the pleasure of reading Guys My Age of Fallon and Dean, where we met them in First “Medicine Man.” Saffron always has the right amount of WORDS to HOOK in and Never let’s you go! There is So Much History between the two characters and the Love they share for one another but shone in different ways. Fallon had a bright idea to bring Dean around on how she feels about him but Dean feels she is just a child. Oh! Did I mention there is a Huge Age Difference between the two? Like 15 to 17 yrs age gap? Not Going to Spoil anything for you since it is So Differently Unique but My Only concern was…….
THAT IT WAS TOO SHORT!! I WANTED MORE!!
A MUST READ!!