Heartstrings & Haunts

by Christina Hill, J.A. Forde, Amy Tackett

There’s a place deep in the mountains covered in Pine,

Where all who come are looking for what’s mine.

Where these good boys and girls utter all kinds of sounds,

Ones I can hear deep below the ground.

Where friends, strangers, child, and brother

Search for an escape like none other.

Where an experience or adventure is something to treasure,

Wrapped up safe and cloaked with much pleasure.

Where the cold, dark nights call for fires to be lit,

And body heat isn’t enough to stoke the endless pit.

Where ombre sunsets rival the brightest of loves,

And hatchets to scare even the most innocent doves.


Hemlock Ranch is a place for the dreamers to dream,

And nightmares for others where they may even scream.

Genres: Thriller, Romance

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2025

About the author

Christina is a lover of love who has been writing stories in her head since middle school. She also holds the titles of ‘mom’ and ‘babe’ and lives in Montana with her four children, husband, and cat. 

When Christina isn’t reading or writing, she is wrangling her kiddos, homeschooling, taking baths, baking, or raising a glass into the wee hours with her book club ladies.

Reviews

[Amy Tackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the most unhinged time writing this short story and reading the other contributing authors' tales. If you're looking for a little taste of everything, this anthology will do the trick. Read it today! 🤗

[Lori Leaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this anthology with multiple short stories, by different authors, all set in the same place. The mix of genres was enjoyable and perfect for reading short story by short story and getting a feel for each authors writing. You want romance? This has it. You want a thriller? This has it too.

[J.A. Forde · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one of the eight authors featured in this book, I know my review is a little biased. BUT I loved every minute of reading these stories. The mix of genres and writing styles makes for a truly wild ride. Romance, psychological thrillers, general fiction... there's a little bit of everything, and something for everyone! If you're ever looking for something fun and easy, or maybe you're a mood reader who isn't sure what they want to read, start here!

[Kayla (Insta: booksandpittie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to come.

But I LITERALLY finished each story with "what in the actual *$?!?!?!"

These 8 stories were incredible, shocking, spicy, terrifying, confusing in the best way and captivating. If they don't sequel this anthology, I will cry.

infinity stars.

afterglow by JA Forde romantic comedy
Leanne and Bryce were ADDICTING. I want to bottle each of them up and take them twice daily because I LOVED their banter and sass towards one another. This is J's first time with OPEN DOOR SPICE and giiiiiiiiiiiiiiirl you know how to write closed door AND open?? 10/10. The spice was spicin'

THE ENDING WAS RUDE. That is all I'll say. ilysm. <3
5/5

Murder on the Floor After the Party by Amy Tackett psychological horror
I think I may have broken a world record by reading a story without taking a breath ONCE because I held my breath the entire time reading this. I was hanging onto every single word, suspending in the air, waiting to see how this story would play out. I absolutely did NOT see the twists and turns coming and that's why Amy is one of my absolutely FAVORITE suspense/thriller writers. This book gave me the gooseybumps!
5/5

Come in the Rain by Madison Noelle | contemporary romance
Anna was relatable on a lot of counts but as a mother I wanted to shake her violently and yell at her for going into a stranger's home so willingly - BUT THE BOOK GIRLIE IN ME WAS ROOTING FOR HER GOING INTO A STRANGER'S HOME. Okay, I know, it's a tangled web we weave or however it goes. anyways. Logan was all man - Anna was all rowdy - THE INSTANT LOVE / ATTRACTION AND LUST!?!?!?!?!? yes plz. I really liked the buildup to this story as I feel it gives a look into Anna's character & her mindset. That's important with the ENDING because W H A T. I ran so fast to Madison's inbox to DM her after finishing this one.
5/5

Cult Fiction by H.M. Palmer | satire
This is my first satire piece + also my first from H.M. Palmer and it definitely won't be my last. I was so confused throughout (which I think is the point?????) I loved the cultural references throughout (shoutout to being a millennial). This was very cult-based (duh) - so while confused, I was happy about it. The ending confused me so much that I had to reread the last few pages and I'm happy to report I was * still * confused - so I think that was intentional!???!!
4/5

But Daddy I Love Him by Christina Hill | romantic comedy
Do not even GET me started on Christina Hill. Yes, there are a lot of authors who destroy the romcom genre - it's so great. But Christina?? CHRISTINA????? The queen. The goddess. The inventor. Idk. It's always top tier AND ADD IN THIS WEIRD SUSPENSE-Y VIBES???? Tarzan vibes?! Throughout this I was picturing Balloo (jungle book??) but then also the apes from Tarzan? Idk. It got weird in my brain but I LOVED IT and I was FEELING THINGS when Raya met Mr woods and it was just great. This story wasn't long enough.
5/5

Epiphany by Angela Fairhaven | contemporary fiction
When I tell you I haven't hated a character so fast in my life - I mean I LOATHED Nathan. I've never read anything by Angela before but I want to read more by her because her ability to write someone so well while having me hate him SO quickly - is just great. The entire story I wanted to throat punch this man or donate him to the closest bear possible. Aside from hating Natedog, I LOVED the spotlight on Cal here - this story so beautifully depicts the relationship and bond between a dog and child. Such a heartwarming story with an underlying infuriating one (looking at you NATE) - but it was phenomenal. Loved it.
5/5

Out of the Woods by Danielle Morris | psychological thriller
Holy freakin' buckets, Danielle. Danielle & Amy are both top tier when it comes to thriller/suspense/horror and I AM HERE FOR IT. Danielle's story NEEDS to be a full length, or a series, or something because this CANNOT BE ALL OF IT. I thought this book was going an entirely different way so when the twist hit - I was absolutely shook. This story wasn't long enough. 10/10 need more.
5/5

War Horse by Adrienne Tritschler | contemporary fiction
I'm not the biggest contempt. fiction girly, but I'm not opposed to it. With that, I did enjoy this story. It was easy to sympathize with Lynn and really get into her mindset when it comes to her day to day life. I loved the magical/secretive vibes of the War Horse and wish there was fan art attached to it because I want to know what it looks like!
4/5

Overall - these stories were fantastic and the authors ability to evoke feelings out of me (alllll the emotions and feels) was a nice touch. LOVED this series and already excited for a physical copy to reread + annotate ;)

[Ashley Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great mix of stories! From romance to thriller/horror to contemporary fiction. There is something for everyone. I read each story in roughly 30 minutes. I enjoyed every single one of them. Some of the authors I already love and some of them I will be reading more of!

Below I left mini reviews of each book individually. I would truly reccomend picking this one up!

Afterglow by J.A Forde

"Did you bring me in here go f*ck with me, or did you bring me in here to f*ck me? Because I'm only here for the latter"

This was such a sweet story with a dash of spice. I really enjoyed Afterglow.

Murder on the Floor After the Party by Amy Tackett

You can never ever go wrong picking up one of Amy's books! You think its going one way and then BAMMMM it changed up super quick. Murder on the Floor After the Party was such a fun read.


Come in With the Rain by Madison Noelle

"I don't do this. Sleep with strangers. But something about this man feels safe, comfortable."

Come in With the Rain was one of my favorite stories in this book! The tropes were *chefs kiss*. I loved everything about this story!


Cult Fiction by H. M. Palmer

As a millennial mom of 4, this couldn't have been any better! I was laughing and loving this story at the same time. I haven't read many satire books but I definitely need to read some more because this was gold. The jokes just worked perfectly with the plot.

But Daddy I Love Him by Christina Hill

"I've always been rational, but this. . . . this is reckless. This is Dateline shit."

A perfect mix of romance and comedy. I was chuckling and blushing. I really loved this one!

Epiphany by Angela Fairhaven

This was one of the longer books in this anothology but it was worth the read. Cal (a dog) was literally my favorite character. The personality that Angela gave him was perfect. I enjoyed reading this story!

Out of the Woods by Danielle Morris

You want a good thriller? Then pick up a Danielle Morris book because I have yet to be disappointed. She even did it again in novella form! Out of the Woods was a great, thrilling story!

War Horse by Adrienne Tritschler

I was not expecting this story to turn out the way that it did but thats a good thing! It was a great way to end this Anthology!

Thank you so much to all the authors for the ARC. 💜

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology showcases an impressive variety of genres and tones, offering a little something for everyone—from heartwarming romance to chilling psychological horror.

J. A. Forde’s story opens with Leane, a woman grappling with her baby sister’s wedding and the enigmatic Bryce, who’s tangled in an unresolved tension with her. The dynamic between Leane and Bryce hints at an undercurrent of miscommunication that leaves readers curious about what truly happened between them.

Amy Tackett’s psychological horror is among the collection’s most gripping: Morgan, wrongly accused of infanticide, flees from Stephen, the baby’s father. Tackett’s narrative masterfully captures Morgan’s desperation, leaving readers on edge as Morgan’s nightmare worsens—especially when she finds herself pregnant with Stephen’s child in part two.

Madison Noelle’s contemporary romance is a delicious detour into steamy territory. Anna, lost after a wrong turn, stumbles into the arms—and bed—of Logan Bishop, and Noelle delivers on both chemistry and tension.

H. M. Palmer’s satirical tale offers a welcome comedic respite. Braylyn’s complaints about the lack of cell service at a ranch in Bozeman, Montana, turn a mundane work retreat into a hilarious study of modern-day dependence on technology.

Christina Hill’s romantic comedy balances grief and growth as Raya heads to the airport for a yoga retreat, reflecting on her late father while meeting a new romantic interest. Hill’s blend of humor and heart keeps the tone light but meaningful.

Angela Fairhaven’s contemporary fiction tugs at wedding-day nerves. Alicia’s wedding at Hardscrabble Ranch is marred by a missing niece, Ember, and an argument with her groom, Nathan. Fairhaven explores themes of family tension and second chances.

Danielle Morris’ psychological thriller stands out for its intense opening: Harper is dead, but the clock rewinds six hours to reveal the events that led to her demise. College life, betrayal, and spicy encounters between Robin and Kristopher heighten the suspense.

Adrienne Tritscheler’s contemporary fiction offers a poignant finale. Lynn, baking cookies for her group, is haunted by memories of losing her child with her husband, Gordon. The flashback adds emotional depth, making Lynn’s story resonate deeply.

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Afterglow: 4 stars (maybe 3.5 stars if we don’t get another book) I really liked this one! I wanted to know more about something, but hopefully there is more to these two characters so it’s not just left unknown. This was a very short enemies-to-lovers. I like how JA Forde was able to show the tension between these two.

Murder on the Floor After the Party: 4.5 stars
Wow! This was crazy. It had me on the edge of the seat and I wasn’t expecting what happened even though the title kind of gives it away, but who reads that before they read the book. This book and character were insane and I loved how the author got in their head. The writing was just so chaotic just like the character. Truly impressed and I might read more by this author even though I dislike thrillers.

Come In With The Rain: 2.5 stars
This one didn’t really grab my attention like the rest of the stories so far. It was short and very spicy. The end was very unexpected and still makes no sense which is why I’m going from 2 stars to 2.5 stars.

Cult Fiction: 2 stars
This was just a strange story all around. I couldn’t remember what I was reading when I took a break from it and I still don’t really get it at all.

But Daddy I Love Him: 4 stars
These endings are going to be the death of me. I feel like I need them to continue even though they are short stories. I hope there is more to these books. This one was very unique and interesting. I kind of liked it in a weird sort of way. I thought the character was very interesting and understood where she was coming from. Overall, very enjoyable.

Epiphany: 4.5 stars
This one had so much emotion. Being a mom myself, I can’t even imagine the feeling. I loved the foreshadowing in this story. I liked that this was less of a romance and more of a family drama and fiction book. This one just had everything going for it and I really enjoyed it overall. I wasn’t expecting to finish this one in one sitting but I couldn’t stop reading it. I’ll definitely be checking out more books by this author.

Out of the Woods: 5 stars
I would never typically pick this type of book up, but it was very well written. I didn’t want to put this story down and it hooked me from the start. I wasn’t expecting anything with this one and it was seriously amazing but creepy!

Warhorse: 3 stars
So, I thought this fantasy book was super interesting. I liked the idea of these warhorses in an every day modern world, and I would love for the author to explore this a little more. My issue is more that there was cheating (not on the pages, but talk that it had happened) and I just can’t get over that with a main character. If that wasn’t a factor, I would have enjoyed it more.

Overall rating: 3.6875 (rounding up to 4)

[callistoscalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for this book; all thoughts are my own!

📖 Book Review 📖 Summer is here and nothing ignites the season of fireflies and campfires like stories of romance and ghosts. Heartstrings & Haunts is a collection of eight short stories that can be read at once or over time. And this anthology has it all to keep readers turning the pages and on their toes. These talented authors deliver a diverse sampling of stories that vary from romance to psychological thrillers (and everything in between), with themes of the human heart and nature uniting across the book for one beautiful experience.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I love anthologies. This one contains 8 stories that are steamy, suspenseful, quirky and most contain a surprise ending. I liked all the stories, loved a few of them, even the weakest ones work to add more impact to the stronger ones. The central theme is a place called Hardscrabble Ranch which involves yaks and a dog named Cal. Hardscrabble Ranch serves a different purpose in each story, although the setting is similar in all.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Taylor Wilson]

What a fun anthology! I absolutely love J.A. Forde, Amy Tackett, and Danielle Morris, so I NEEDED to sign up for an ARC!

There’s a little bit of everything in here to appease to a wide range of readers. Some romance, some psychological thrillers, contemporary fiction… The pacing and mix was genres was well formatted in my opinion to help keep me as a reader engaged and moving forward with the stories.

There’s a list of content warnings at the back of the book, so be sure to check it out for any triggers!

[Misty Hawkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed every single story in this book! I feel like they could each be turned into more. I want to visit Hardscrabble Ranch now just to be a part of something so special. Thank you to all of the authors for sharing your stories with us!

If romance is what you want, read this.
If a thriller is what you want, read this.
You just can't go wrong.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology has every genre including romance, fantasy, mystery and thriller! Some are stories of everyday situations, and some include the paranormal and others curious circumstances.

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed these stories! I loved how diverse they were with a variety of genres but they all focused on one location; Hardscrabble Ranch!

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! Each story unique and wonderful in its own way. I did not want to put this down. Now I need to read more from each author.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartstrings & Haunts is a delightful blend of heartwarming moments, gentle chills, and just the right touch of mystery. Every story offers something unique, yet they all come together seamlessly to create a rich, enchanting atmosphere. From the very first page, I was completely drawn in—and by the end, I didn’t want to leave. Perfect for anyone who loves anthologies with a bit of magic, emotion, and a dash of the unexpected!

[Callee Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehhh. Not great. One story was very good but none of the others were for me. The second to last story was a thriller and very good for a short story. The others felt very unfinished and most were just not entertaining.

[Danielle Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a bit biased since I’m one of the eight authors featured in this fantastic anthology. But I’m so proud of this one and thankful to have one of my short stories included in the pages alongside the other amazing women writers. I promise you won’t want to miss out on reading this one! It’s a mash-up of several genres, with a little something for everyone that’ll make you feel like you’re nestled next to a bonfire surrounded by the mountains and wildlife that make Montana so special.

[Taylor Doran]

Heartstrings & Haunts at Hardscrabble: A short story anthology

When I received this advanced copy, I was totally in the mood for a series of short stories, so this hit my Kindle at the right time. This is an anthology by a group of indie authors who write different genres. All of these stories take place at Hardscrabble Ranch, which is an event center in the Montana mountains. There is a character in common in all the stories, which is ranch dog Cal. Here are my thoughts on each story:

1. Afterglow by J.A. Forde: I want a full length novel with these characters. I'm basically a J.A. Forde superfan after reading her other two romance novels this year. She started this collection out with a BANG, which i was very shocked by. Her other two books were fade to black, so a one night stand felt very different. However, I love the feeling of wanting more from a story instead of wanting it to be over because it's too long, and that is how I felt with this book. It may have been my favorite of the bunch and I didn't expect how it ended. Give me more!

2. Murder on the Floor After the Party by Amy Tackett: This is a psychological thriller and it was disturbing. Check those trigger warnings.

3. Come in with the Rain by Madison Noelle: This is for someone who wants a spicy good time to read in one sitting. It also had a twist at the end that shocked me.

4. Cult Fiction by H.M. Palmer: This one had me giggling several times. The millennial vs. Gen. Z jokes were fun. Coworkers on a weekend retreat that accidentally get involved with a cult.

5. But Daddy I Love Him by Christina Hill: This one was probably the most unhinged, but not in a bad way. Think yoga retreat meets Tarzan.

6. Epiphany by Angela Fairhaven: Alicia is having her wedding at Hardscrabble Ranch, but she's about to have an epiphany (hence the name of the story.) If you like dogs, this one is for you!

7. Out of the Woods by Danielle Morris: You will definitely have an eerie feeling throughout this story while trying to figure out who the bad guy really will be. I don't read very many thrillers, so i was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. It felt very Pretty Little Liars to me.

8. War Horse by Adrienne Tritschler: I don't think I was smart enough to understand this one, especially the ending. I'm sure there was a deeper meaning there I just couldn't put my finger on.

Overall, I think the different genres flowed well together even though it included eight different authors. I wouldn't recommend this to more conservative or young readers because there is language, explicit content and several triggers. However, I would recommend this to those who enjoy a variety of genres and want to finish a story in less than an hour.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an ARC and found it very interesting. This book is an anthology with 8 stories by 8 different authors and each story is a different genre. Thank you NetGalley and all 8 authors (J.A. Forde, Amy Tackett, Madison Noelle, H.M. Palmer, Christina Hill, Angela Fairhaven, Danielle Morris, and Adrienne Tritschler) for this ARC.

1. Afterglow by J.A. Forde (romantic comedy)
This book is about Leanne and Bryce. Leanne had to plan her sister’s wedding (she’s the maid of honor) while dealing with heartbreak “my sister got her happy engagement on the same day mine ended” and Bryce is the event coordinator at Hardscrabble Ranch. Im not going to say anything else about it since it is short and I couldn’t easily just tell you the whole story without meaning too. I will say though that ending left me needing more how can you end it like that!!

2. Murder on the Floor after the Party by Amy Tackett (psychological thriller)
This genre isn’t my usual jam but it was interesting. Morgan and Stephen are our main characters and it’s from Morgan’s pov. Again with the ending I was hoping it would happen but at the same time I wasn’t sure if it would. Just make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading it.

3. Come in with the Rain by Madison Noelle (contemporary romance)
This part follows Anna and Logan when Anna gets lost in a storm on the way to a campsite to meet up with her friends. This part is a little spicy but it was nice after the thriller. The plot twist at the end had me again wanting more.

4. Cult Fiction by H.M. Palmer (satire)
Work retreat but they accidentally get involved with a cult.

5. But Daddy I Love Him by Christina Hill (romantic comedy)
This one was a little unhinged and it really reminded me of Tarzan and she does call him Montana’s Tarzan. Raya goes to a yoga retreat and meets a weird guy in the woods when going for a walk.

6. Epiphany by Angela Fairhaven (contemporary fiction)
This part was interesting and I liked the POVs we got because let’s just say if you like dogs you’ll like this part.

7. Out of the Wood by Danielle Morris (psychological thriller)
This part was interesting and the ending was not what I was expecting at all. You think you have it figured out and then everything changes.

8. War Horse by Adrienne Tritschler (contemporary fiction)
This part was interesting but there was something I think I was missing because I was a little confused as I was reading.

Overall I liked these stories and one thing I really liked was how no matter the story Cal (a dog) was in them in some way. The first story was definitely my favorite. My only suggestion is to put the content warnings at the front instead of the back of the book if the final version is set up like the ARC is.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky to get an ARC of Christina Hill, J.A. Forde, Amy Tackett, Madison Noelle, H.M. Palmer, Angela Fairhaven, Danielle Morris, and Adrienne Tritschler's newest book, Heartstrings & Haunts at Hardscrabble.

I found rating an anthology that features eight stories of various genres by eight different authors to be very challenging, and it left me feeling conflicted.

I enjoyed four of the stories and wanted full-length versions of them, but when it came to the other four stories, they were just not for me, and that's fine.

These are my random thoughts that I jotted down after finishing each short story.

Afterglow by J.A. Forde
(Romantic Comedy)

Super cute, cheesy, and easy to read. Predictable.

Murder on the Dance Floor After the Party by Amy Tackett
(Psychological Horror)

A mindfuck but in a good way.

Come in With the Rain by Madison Noelle
(Contemporary Romance)

I did not see that twist coming at the end!

Cult Fiction by H. M. Palmer
(Satire)

WTF did I just read!?

But Daddy I Love Him by Christina Hill
(Romantic Comedy)

What the actual fuck lol

Epiphany by Angela Fairhaven
(Contemporary Fiction)

Aside from Nathan (hate him), it was a good story.

Out of the Woods by Danielle Morris
(Psychological Thriller)

I enjoyed this one.

War Horse by Adrienne Tritschler
(Contemporary Fiction)

??
I think there was something I was missing because I was a little confused reading this one...

If you’re looking for something different to read, this anthology offers a little bit of something for everyone.

Thank you so much to Christina Hill, J.A. Forde, Amy Tackett, Madison Noelle, H.M. Palmer, Angela Fairhaven, Danielle Morris, and Adrienne Tritschler for this ARC 🤍

[Karen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of eight short stories centered around a ranch in Montana, ranging genres from contemporary romance to psychological thrillers. A few stories ended with cliffhangers, some had surprise twists, and a couple that were not my cup of tea. I enjoyed the short story style introduction of some new-to-me authors, and will hopefully be able to check their full length novels out soon.
-Afterglow by JA Forde: A reverse grumpy sunshine spicy romance featuring characters close to age 40 (yay!). The last sentence was a shocker!
-Murder on the Floor After the Party by Amy Tackett: a psychological horror that had me questioning what really happened…is it real or in the character’s mind? I read this one twice!
-Come in With the Rain by Madison Noelle: an insta-love romance that had a surprise twist of an ending!
-Cult Fiction by HM Palmer: a satire featuring a group of individuals at a work retreat. I didn’t quite understand this one but I think it is mostly because sci-fi/satire genre is my least read.
-But Daddy I Love Him by Christina Hill: a cute rom-com with a lumberjack hiker hero where we never know his name but we know we love hime because he saves the damsel in distress from more than just a bear…
-Epiphany by Angela Fairhaven: a sweet contemporary fiction with a unique PoV from a dog who stays with a missing girl. Probably my favorite story of the anthology. - Out Of The Woods by Danielle Morris: a psychological thriller with a spicy scene and an insane twist ending! I really liked this one too!
-War Horse by Adrienne Tritschler: a contemporary fiction…another I fully didn’t understand but I liked that it mentioned the dog that was a character in previous stories!
I received an early copy from the authors.

[Lindsy C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun anthology of short stories! 💜📖💙 What a mix of genres - there’s something for everyone when it comes to Heartstrings & Haunts.
A bit of romance? ✔️
Some spooky vibes? ✔️
The feeling you get from ghost stories around a campfire? ✔️
Contemporary relationships? ✔️
Horror, humour, and heart?! ✔️
And more!!

I love how each story is its own unique entity, yet there are certain elements - such as the ‘Big Sky Country’ setting of Montana, Hemlock Ranch itself, and a dog named Cal - that connect each tale to the anthology as a whole. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this before…where the stories go together, yet don’t go together (which may sound confusing, but is actually super unique). I also enjoyed the nod to TSwift in so many of the short story titles. I think that’s kind of current and fun!

I’ve traveled to Bozeman, MT a number of times and could picture the stunning locale, with views of the Bridger Mountains, as I read.

Personally, my favourite stories were Afterglow, Come in With the Rain, and Epiphany!
Honourable mentions, because they truly surprised me with their twists, go to Out of the Woods (a classic example of a spooky campfire story to tell in the dark) and But Daddy I Love Him (which included a hairy situation, to say the least).

If you’re looking for something different I recommend picking up this anthology.

Thanks to the authors and publisher for an advanced copy!

[Kaycee]

Thank you for the gifted advanced eARC.

This anthology is a collection of short stories from eight indie authors. From the book: EIGHT SHORT STORIES TO MAKE YOUR HEART RACE. FROM ROMANTIC thrills TO SUSPENSEFUL chills.

The anthology has romantic comedy, horror/thriller, speculative fiction, satire, and contemporary fiction. All the stories are set at the fictional Hemlock Ranch, and you'll see a common furry friend in most of them. Overall, I had fun with this anthology.

Not all of these stories were for me, which I think is normal in an anthology. But I do think there is a little something for everyone from spooky horror stories to romance that will get you all hot and bothered.

I originally signed up for this arc to get my hands on Danielle Morris’s latest, but I picked up some new authors to check out along the way. I really liked the stories from JA Forde and Amy Tackett and of course Danielle’s. The stories will take you on twists and turns with shocking endings.

I think it’s worth picking up this anthology because it lets you check out new authors through their short stories. As always, check your trigger warnings.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent whilst reading this collection of short stories. I loved the concept of them all following this location and the appearance of Cal, the cutest sounding dog. Whilst I may not have understood the full meaning of each story, which I don’t see to be the authors faults at all I believe I may just not be smart enough to understand what they were putting down, I still enjoyed every word I read. A few stories I wish we had more of, in the sense that I would love to see a longer novel written for them as I appreciated the time with characters and slightly crave more. I would 100% recommend this anthology to most audiences, with romance and thrillers, however it definitely isn’t something for a younger audience as there is a rather large amount of explicit content and language, I also suggest to please check the trigger warnings stated!

4.25⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for allowing me to read and enjoy this arc <3

[ashley and the never ending TBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Afterglow by J.A. Forde - 2/5 - I felt like the whole thing was just so overdone, least favorite in the anthology
2. Murder on the Floor After the Party - Amy Tackett - 3/5 - decent psychological thriller, but not my favorite
3. Come in With the Rain - Madison Noelle - 4/5 - great plot twist, probably my favorite of the anthology!
4. Cult Fiction - 3/5 - fun, sasquatch, satire
5. But Daddy I Love Him - Christina Hill- 3/5 - it’s a Tarzan type story, I wish it was longer
6. Epiphany - Angela Fairhaven - 3/5 - Cal really is the best, decent story
7. Out of the Woods - Danielle Morris - 4/5 - had me going in the beginning. It was a good little thriller!
8. War Horse - Adrienne Tritschler - 4/5 - I was not expecting that supernatural twist, wish there was more to the story

Overall, it’s a decent anthology and like all of them, some stories are better than others. I also liked that there is different genres, it’s not all romance or thriller which was a nice break.

I love that Cal got to be in every story! She’s the real MVP.

[Susan Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first anthology I've read in years, probably since being in school but I have to say I really enjoyed it. The stories are involve the Hardscrabble Ranch but each story is so different. There's everything from supernatural elements, spice, romance, thriller, suspense, psychological thriller. There's something for everyone, the stories don't relate in any way with it's characters, only the Hardscrabble Ranch is common and Calpurnia of course. I loved seeing the Lab make her way through the different stories, her character remained the same, loving & loyal to her people. I really enjoyed getting glimpses to authors styles that I wasn't familiar with so now I can go check out their work. I will say that not every story would have been rated the same for me, but overall I did enjoy the entire. This is a great way to sample new authors!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4.

Heartstrings & Haunts is an anthology that has stories all taking place around one ranch. The stories and authors change, but the setting stays the same. This is the first anthology I've read in probably over a decade, and I picked it up because one of the authors is one of my favorites, I'm not familiar with the others. There's a few different genres in here that make this a roller-coaster of a book to read through: romance, thriller, satire, general fiction, there's certainly a variety. Some of these stories were right up my alley, and I want more, while others weren't quite for me, but I can see how others would like them!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting read! This was not my norm at all, but I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it. This book is an anthology of short stories by various (some new to me) authors. They all center around a Ranch in beautiful Montana. From there, the authors take you on a wild ride of short stories ranging from contemporary romance to thriller/horror. There is literally something in this book for everyone. I really enjoyed reading it and getting the feel for so many authors, some of which I will definitely be checking out their other books.

All of these stories left me with my jaw on the floor for one reason or another and definitely wanting more! This would be a great beach read or perfect for spooky season.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great little collection of short stories and mix of genres. All of the stories were set in the same location, but each author had a slightly different take on how that setting was used/lived in and of course what happened! We had romance and thrillers, and while I didn't love all of the stories, even the one I didn't like wasn't a bad story - it just wasn't for me, I know others did really like it! The stories were the perfect length to read one at a time, I usually was ready one before bed or split of on my lunch hour then finishing it that night. I'm not typically a romance reader but a couple of these have me thinking maybe I should try some of those, and I definitely want to look up more books by all of these authors!!

[nancis_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had hoped these short stories would be interrelated, but the only recurring elements appear to be the dog and the name of the ranch. Rating a book that features seven distinct stories is quite challenging; while some captivated me and I yearn for full-length versions, others didn’t resonate as much. It feels as though there were fantastic narratives waiting to be fully explored, yet they seemed somewhat rushed. Then again, is this a common challenge with short stories? I'm feeling quite conflicted. This anthology covers various genres, including murder, mystery, romance, and elements of folklore.

Happy Reading!