Night Shift is now available 6 NEW novellas -- Never Before Released 100% of the proceeds will be donated to charity
Authors: Toni Aleo, Kindle Alexander, Sawyer Bennett,
Chelle Bliss, Eden Butler, and Brenda Rothert
SYNOPSIS
Summer in the Big Easy is hot. Inside Tulane Medical Center the temperature is on the rise. A doctor nursing a broken heart. A wounded warrior with no interest in love. A single father finding the girl who got away. A combat nurse trying to adjust to civilian life. Two lost souls looking for love. A former detective looking for answers and an FBI agent who finds more than he bargains for.
Desire. Lust. Excess. New Orleans will never be the same.
Six never before released stories that will leave you breathless.
Dirty things happen in the dark.
[Anita/Patti]
We're doing something a little different for this tour. Because we were both fans of a couple of the authors, we each wanted to review the set and we're including our reviews of each story as a she said/she said, with an overall review at the end. Each of us will be posting separately to Goodreads and Amazon.
Sawyer Bennett's Off Duty
Anita
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
As a starting story for the anthology, it was pretty good. More then that even. I've read a lot of Sawyer Bennett's books and I have to say she does have a way to make you read all through the end without stopping. As she said love is love. And I felt it in this story definitely.
Patti
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
This was my first book by Sawyer Bennet and I'm pleased to say that I loved it. I'll definitely read more from her. The #loveislove theme in this story was wonderful. While the characters were clearly dealing with racism in their past, I found it inspiring that they managed to find love in spite of that. I won't spoil the story, but I was pleased with the way it ended. The best part, for me, was that, though I knew this was an interracial romance, it didn't feel like that between the characters. Bravo, Sawyer. Quite uplifting.
Chelle Bliss' Rebound
Anita
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
Sam, oh Sam. Or should I call him Flash. Damn, reading about him in Izzy's story made me feel sorry for him but seeing his story now....It was amazing. I knew he was a good guy deep down and that all he did was out of love. He just loved the wrong girl. I love seeing his RIGHT girl come along. And I have to say that is one smart man.
Patti
Amazon rating: 4/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 8.5/10
I probably would have rated this story at 5 if it wasn't for the prologue. It was jarring to start with a very explicit sex scene (in spite of the fact that it was hot). Though I thoroughly enjoyed the characters during the rest of the book, and I wanted to see them become a couple, I'd rather have observed the prologue material at the end instead of the beginning. I think it cheapened the budding relationship between them by placing it at the forefront. But that hasn't deterred me from wanting to read the rest of this series or more from Chelle, and I really did like the story overall.
Toni Aleo's Wanting To Forget
Anita
Amazon rating: 3/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 7/10
Hmm. How do I describe the feelings going through me reading this little insight into Toni Aleo's next book. Well, I was filled with emotions and although I believe Toni meant for us to feel it, I kinda wanted to smash my phone against the wall. Why? Because I don't get a man trying to sleep his way out of feeling love for someone. I don't get that a man can feel regret but still continue to sleep with anything that smiles his way. Now, I'm not a prude. I know there are a lot of guys in the world that have no problem whatsoever with doing something like this, but for me it's simple. I believe that if a man is truly in love with a woman he would never do something like this. The reason I didn't totally hate this story was because of the writing. Toni does have a way to make you see things as they are happening. I just really felt it would go a different way than it did.
Patti
Amazon rating: 4/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 7.5/10
I'm rounding up to 4 on Amazon/Goodreads because this was my first book of Toni's and it didn't deter me from reading more of her books, especially hockey stories – I love hockey stories, so that helped bump the rating. However, it was more of a 3.6 than a 3.95 and here's why. First, I actually felt bad for the lead, Jordie, with his injury. To a certain degree, I really liked him and thought that he could be a great guy if he wasn't being such a douche in the name of self-loathing. But, since this wasn't really a complete short story so much as a segment of a larger one, I'm hoping that, by the time his story is resolved, he'll turn himself around, or else I'd really hate him. He has the potential to be a great guy and make amends. Unlike Anita, I don't have as many issues with his behavior in this story to a point. The party stuff was stupid, but I thought he'd learned and if the story had ended at the hospital, I could have probably given it a 5-star. But then the hospital and post-hospital stuff happened...and yeah. I had a hard time liking him after that. I've known some sleazy hockey players, but he took the cake there for me. I might read his story at some point to find out if the ending changes my mind about him, but I won't rush to do it.
Kindle Alexander's Closet Confessions
Anita
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
Now this is a story of love, truly beautiful. No matter the rase or sexual orientation. I love a good love story and no matter what this was realy a great one. I rarely read gay romance but I have to say it does hold an appeal, that's for sure. And she did a good job on keeping things from the beginning. I was asking myself all the time what was happening. I loved it. Really a good story and I love to read good romances. I don't think I can say with words how much I really did like this story. All I can say is LOVE IS LOVE.
Patti
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
I haven't read a lot of M/M stories at this point, but I'm sure that will change. I've also never read any of Kindle's stories before now, but this definitely interested me in her work. Another romance with the #loveislove theme, I think the only thing that confused me here was that I would have liked to learn the truth a little earlier. I understand why she composed it as she did – the element of surprise completely changed the way you perceived the couple once you knew and it also fed into the crux of the narrative. However, while it cheapened the love story just a little to be deceived about the sexual encounter, that wasn't enough in this case to decrease the rating. I think that's because I had a chance to know each of the characters just a little before I saw them having sex (and that would have been true if this was an M/F story, too). A lovely tale and I'm excited to read more M/M as well as to read more of Kindle's books.
Brenda Rothert's Healing Touch
Anita
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
Now, I've read one book from Brenda and I really loved it. But I didn't have a chance to read the others, until now. I know now why I loved the first book I read from her so much. She can make you love anyone with her words. And her characters are always someone we wish we could know in real life. I know that this story really made me sigh with happiness and just pure woman's content.
Patti
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
Brenda's story was my primary reason for wanting to read this anthology. She's a favorite of mine, and even when I don't love the characters the whole way through (Brady comes to mind), I always find myself rooting for the lovers in her books. These two were no exception. In fact, given Carson and Joss as characters, I desperately wanted them to have a happy ending - they deserved it. I'm hoping that Brenda will give them more story later, or at least use this as a launch point for another series. Loved those two and as always, Brenda built a fantastic narrative. Proof she can do it in a shorter story, too.
Eden Butler's Swimming In Shadows
Anita
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
What sould I say about this story? Well, first....I'm pissed that it's a damn cliffy. Whew! I thought he would swop his lady of off her feet and happily ever after here we come, but NO! It had to be a damn cliffhanger. And the women I thought he would be with turns out to actually not be the ONE for him.Awesome. Okay. I get it. You want us on edge with waiting to see what happens. I'm there, waiting!!!
Well, I can say it has been an interesting story so far. The sex, the fighting, even the drinking and hospital. Too bad it was really a cliffy. But okay, I'll check it out later.
Patti
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
I like the premise of this story and I was definitely interested in reading more about our detective and his quest to learn about his mother's death. I'm not opposed to a cliffhanger or even reading a prequel, though I prefer knowing to expect that I'll need to continue a story (thanks for telling me in advance, Anita!) I suppose that's the case with any series, but not every series is written continuously and involves cliffhangers. In this case, I did love the setup for Nick and Evangeline. I'll look forward to their story, because I'm really hoping it's not done. This was my first Eden Butler book, and she's piqued my curiosity. I'm generally less of a romantic suspense reader, but when I like an author's style and character development, I can read almost anything they write. I'd say Eden falls into that category.
Overall
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
The average for the anthology as a whole is clearly top of the charts. I think it's clear that both of us gained new authors to follow and while we were disappointed in Jordie from Toni Aleo's entry, there's hope for him yet. If I read the follow-up with him and Kacey first, I suspect I'll be able to convince Anita to give it a try. Thanks for letting us read this anthology, and I hope you find our reviews to be honest. It was a fun experiment to do a dual review.
Remember, all the proceeds from this go to charity. Check out our Facebook page for a shot at winning a copy of this anthology from us.
Kindle Alexander, best selling and newly award winning author, is an innovative writer and a genre-crosser who writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and erotica. It’s always a surprise to see what’s coming next! Happily married with too many children, and dogs, living in the suburbs of Dallas. Click here to visit her website.
Sawyer Bennett, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate. Click her to visit her website.
Chelle Bliss, USA Today bestselling author, writes stories about real-life scenarios with fantasy Alpha males. Her works include humor as well as steamy sex. Her work includes her best selling series Men of Inked. Click here to visit her website.
Eden Butler is an Amazon best-selling editor and writer of Romance, Mystery and SciFi and Fantasy novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum. Her debut novel, a New Adult, Contemporary Romance, "Chasing Serenity" launched October 2013. Since that time Eden has published six books and novellas including the Amazon best seller, "Thin Love". Click here to learn more about her.
Brenda Rothert is a proud indie author who loves writing stories that make readers laugh, cry and occasionally, yell at their e-readers. Her Contemporary Romances include Unspoken; The Now Series - Now and Then, Now and Again and Now and Forever, and The Fire on Ice Series - Bound, Captive, Edge, Drive and Release. Her latest release is Killian, the first book in her new hockey series, On the Line. For more information about Brenda’s books, visit her website at www.brendarothert.com.
The Keith Milano Memorial Fund - The Keith Milano Memorial Fund was established to help raise awareness about the devastating deadly disease that is Mental Illness. Keith’s spirit and laughter is kept alive through our efforts to increase awareness about mental illness and to raise money for education and imperative research. Click here to learn more
Pancreatic Action Network - The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is fully committed to providing the most comprehensive set of programs and services to fight this very difficult disease. Our commitment and passion are driven by our mission: to advance research, support patients and create hope for anyone facing pancreatic cancer. Click here to visit the Keep the Memory Alive page
Nashville Predators Foundation - At the inception of the Nashville Predators' franchise in 1997, we not only made a commitment to develop a successful hockey team and organization, but also believed and committed to fulfilling a recognized responsibility to play an important role in our home community. Click here to learn more
DUAL REVIEW
[Anita/Patti]
We're doing something a little different for this tour. Because we were both fans of a couple of the authors, we each wanted to review the set and we're including our reviews of each story as a she said/she said, with an overall review at the end. Each of us will be posting separately to Goodreads and Amazon.
Sawyer Bennett's Off Duty
Anita
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
As a starting story for the anthology, it was pretty good. More then that even. I've read a lot of Sawyer Bennett's books and I have to say she does have a way to make you read all through the end without stopping. As she said love is love. And I felt it in this story definitely.
Patti
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
This was my first book by Sawyer Bennet and I'm pleased to say that I loved it. I'll definitely read more from her. The #loveislove theme in this story was wonderful. While the characters were clearly dealing with racism in their past, I found it inspiring that they managed to find love in spite of that. I won't spoil the story, but I was pleased with the way it ended. The best part, for me, was that, though I knew this was an interracial romance, it didn't feel like that between the characters. Bravo, Sawyer. Quite uplifting.
Chelle Bliss' Rebound
Anita
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
Sam, oh Sam. Or should I call him Flash. Damn, reading about him in Izzy's story made me feel sorry for him but seeing his story now....It was amazing. I knew he was a good guy deep down and that all he did was out of love. He just loved the wrong girl. I love seeing his RIGHT girl come along. And I have to say that is one smart man.
Patti
Amazon rating: 4/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 8.5/10
I probably would have rated this story at 5 if it wasn't for the prologue. It was jarring to start with a very explicit sex scene (in spite of the fact that it was hot). Though I thoroughly enjoyed the characters during the rest of the book, and I wanted to see them become a couple, I'd rather have observed the prologue material at the end instead of the beginning. I think it cheapened the budding relationship between them by placing it at the forefront. But that hasn't deterred me from wanting to read the rest of this series or more from Chelle, and I really did like the story overall.
Toni Aleo's Wanting To Forget
Anita
Amazon rating: 3/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 7/10
Hmm. How do I describe the feelings going through me reading this little insight into Toni Aleo's next book. Well, I was filled with emotions and although I believe Toni meant for us to feel it, I kinda wanted to smash my phone against the wall. Why? Because I don't get a man trying to sleep his way out of feeling love for someone. I don't get that a man can feel regret but still continue to sleep with anything that smiles his way. Now, I'm not a prude. I know there are a lot of guys in the world that have no problem whatsoever with doing something like this, but for me it's simple. I believe that if a man is truly in love with a woman he would never do something like this. The reason I didn't totally hate this story was because of the writing. Toni does have a way to make you see things as they are happening. I just really felt it would go a different way than it did.
Patti
Amazon rating: 4/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 7.5/10
I'm rounding up to 4 on Amazon/Goodreads because this was my first book of Toni's and it didn't deter me from reading more of her books, especially hockey stories – I love hockey stories, so that helped bump the rating. However, it was more of a 3.6 than a 3.95 and here's why. First, I actually felt bad for the lead, Jordie, with his injury. To a certain degree, I really liked him and thought that he could be a great guy if he wasn't being such a douche in the name of self-loathing. But, since this wasn't really a complete short story so much as a segment of a larger one, I'm hoping that, by the time his story is resolved, he'll turn himself around, or else I'd really hate him. He has the potential to be a great guy and make amends. Unlike Anita, I don't have as many issues with his behavior in this story to a point. The party stuff was stupid, but I thought he'd learned and if the story had ended at the hospital, I could have probably given it a 5-star. But then the hospital and post-hospital stuff happened...and yeah. I had a hard time liking him after that. I've known some sleazy hockey players, but he took the cake there for me. I might read his story at some point to find out if the ending changes my mind about him, but I won't rush to do it.
Kindle Alexander's Closet Confessions
Anita
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
Now this is a story of love, truly beautiful. No matter the rase or sexual orientation. I love a good love story and no matter what this was realy a great one. I rarely read gay romance but I have to say it does hold an appeal, that's for sure. And she did a good job on keeping things from the beginning. I was asking myself all the time what was happening. I loved it. Really a good story and I love to read good romances. I don't think I can say with words how much I really did like this story. All I can say is LOVE IS LOVE.
Patti
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
I haven't read a lot of M/M stories at this point, but I'm sure that will change. I've also never read any of Kindle's stories before now, but this definitely interested me in her work. Another romance with the #loveislove theme, I think the only thing that confused me here was that I would have liked to learn the truth a little earlier. I understand why she composed it as she did – the element of surprise completely changed the way you perceived the couple once you knew and it also fed into the crux of the narrative. However, while it cheapened the love story just a little to be deceived about the sexual encounter, that wasn't enough in this case to decrease the rating. I think that's because I had a chance to know each of the characters just a little before I saw them having sex (and that would have been true if this was an M/F story, too). A lovely tale and I'm excited to read more M/M as well as to read more of Kindle's books.
Brenda Rothert's Healing Touch
Anita
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
Now, I've read one book from Brenda and I really loved it. But I didn't have a chance to read the others, until now. I know now why I loved the first book I read from her so much. She can make you love anyone with her words. And her characters are always someone we wish we could know in real life. I know that this story really made me sigh with happiness and just pure woman's content.
Patti
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
Brenda's story was my primary reason for wanting to read this anthology. She's a favorite of mine, and even when I don't love the characters the whole way through (Brady comes to mind), I always find myself rooting for the lovers in her books. These two were no exception. In fact, given Carson and Joss as characters, I desperately wanted them to have a happy ending - they deserved it. I'm hoping that Brenda will give them more story later, or at least use this as a launch point for another series. Loved those two and as always, Brenda built a fantastic narrative. Proof she can do it in a shorter story, too.
Eden Butler's Swimming In Shadows
Anita
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
What sould I say about this story? Well, first....I'm pissed that it's a damn cliffy. Whew! I thought he would swop his lady of off her feet and happily ever after here we come, but NO! It had to be a damn cliffhanger. And the women I thought he would be with turns out to actually not be the ONE for him.Awesome. Okay. I get it. You want us on edge with waiting to see what happens. I'm there, waiting!!!
Well, I can say it has been an interesting story so far. The sex, the fighting, even the drinking and hospital. Too bad it was really a cliffy. But okay, I'll check it out later.
Patti
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
I like the premise of this story and I was definitely interested in reading more about our detective and his quest to learn about his mother's death. I'm not opposed to a cliffhanger or even reading a prequel, though I prefer knowing to expect that I'll need to continue a story (thanks for telling me in advance, Anita!) I suppose that's the case with any series, but not every series is written continuously and involves cliffhangers. In this case, I did love the setup for Nick and Evangeline. I'll look forward to their story, because I'm really hoping it's not done. This was my first Eden Butler book, and she's piqued my curiosity. I'm generally less of a romantic suspense reader, but when I like an author's style and character development, I can read almost anything they write. I'd say Eden falls into that category.
Overall
Amazon rating: 5/5
In Patti's Imagination rating: 10/10
The average for the anthology as a whole is clearly top of the charts. I think it's clear that both of us gained new authors to follow and while we were disappointed in Jordie from Toni Aleo's entry, there's hope for him yet. If I read the follow-up with him and Kacey first, I suspect I'll be able to convince Anita to give it a try. Thanks for letting us read this anthology, and I hope you find our reviews to be honest. It was a fun experiment to do a dual review.
Remember, all the proceeds from this go to charity. Check out our Facebook page for a shot at winning a copy of this anthology from us.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Toni Aleo is the author of the Assassins Series, Bullies Series, Whiskey Prince, Let it be Me, and the Spring Grove novels. She lives in Clarksville, TN with her husband, and two beautiful children. She enjoys taking pictures, writing, shopping and going to as many hockey games that she can! Click here to visit her website.Kindle Alexander, best selling and newly award winning author, is an innovative writer and a genre-crosser who writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and erotica. It’s always a surprise to see what’s coming next! Happily married with too many children, and dogs, living in the suburbs of Dallas. Click here to visit her website.
Sawyer Bennett, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate. Click her to visit her website.
Chelle Bliss, USA Today bestselling author, writes stories about real-life scenarios with fantasy Alpha males. Her works include humor as well as steamy sex. Her work includes her best selling series Men of Inked. Click here to visit her website.
Eden Butler is an Amazon best-selling editor and writer of Romance, Mystery and SciFi and Fantasy novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum. Her debut novel, a New Adult, Contemporary Romance, "Chasing Serenity" launched October 2013. Since that time Eden has published six books and novellas including the Amazon best seller, "Thin Love". Click here to learn more about her.
Brenda Rothert is a proud indie author who loves writing stories that make readers laugh, cry and occasionally, yell at their e-readers. Her Contemporary Romances include Unspoken; The Now Series - Now and Then, Now and Again and Now and Forever, and The Fire on Ice Series - Bound, Captive, Edge, Drive and Release. Her latest release is Killian, the first book in her new hockey series, On the Line. For more information about Brenda’s books, visit her website at www.brendarothert.com.
100% of the proceeds will be donated to:
Pancreatic Action Network - The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is fully committed to providing the most comprehensive set of programs and services to fight this very difficult disease. Our commitment and passion are driven by our mission: to advance research, support patients and create hope for anyone facing pancreatic cancer. Click here to visit the Keep the Memory Alive page
Nashville Predators Foundation - At the inception of the Nashville Predators' franchise in 1997, we not only made a commitment to develop a successful hockey team and organization, but also believed and committed to fulfilling a recognized responsibility to play an important role in our home community. Click here to learn more
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