Hex & Hearth: A Paranormal Anthology

by M.M. Colt, Daphne Darling, Samantha Cole

Genres: Anthologies, Fiction, Paranormal

646 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2026

About the author

I write, garden, cook, drink, swear & shoot....& I have dogs. My vampires don’t sparkle, fairy dust is real & my drinks pack one hell of a punch.

Reviews

[Samantha Cole]

A note to the readers:

I'm so excited about this anthology. I worked with some amazing authors to bring this project to life. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as we enjoyed writing it!

[lovestoread]

This was such a cool anthology. Same little town, same wonderful pub, amazing characters, so many different authors! Great reading.

I was drawn to this because of Taryn Quinn, they didn't disappoint :)

Sloan and Bishop both end up at the Hex and Hearth on a stormy night. Drawn to each other with a pull that is otherworldly. Sex off the charts good.

Loved all the stories that fit so nicely in this anthology.

[Lisa Hughey]

This is a 10 author paranormal anthology under my new pen name, Lucy Sonus. We had SO MUCH FUN building this world and bringing the town of Driftwood Pointe and the magical Hex & Hearth tavern to life. <3 Lucy Sonus

[Tania]

I’ve started on Taryn Quinn’s story first and loved how the souls connected. It was different from her other series, but very enjoyable. I’d love to see more in this genre. I’m onto Carole Wolf and again, am captivated. Looking forward to the rest of the stories!

[M.M. Colt]

I'm SO excited to have you guys read this and tell us what you think! We had so much fun building this magical world for you! The sisters live on!!!!

[Nathalie Mariaud]

📚 ARC Review

Welcome to Driftwood Pointe, an authentic New England small town where books can fly to you when they need you to read them, where the sea remembers, and where you can leave for years and still feel at home.

In this magical little town, the Hex & Hearth bartender knows your name, the drink you need before you even say a word. ✨

Ten authors have joined their talents to bring us ten short paranormal romance stories, each featuring a different couple. Witches, wizards, demons, and shifters all cross paths in Driftwood Pointe, creating a lovely collection of romances with different levels of spice.

Some are MM, some FM, but they all have one thing in common: a happy-ever-after. ❤️

I really enjoyed wandering through this little town and discovering each of these stories and characters. It felt like a collection of small windows into a much bigger magical world, and I definitely wanted to stay a little longer.

There are also lots of lovely bonus contents from the authors, which makes the whole anthology feel like an extra-special invitation into Driftwood Pointe.

✨ Paranormal Romance
✨ Small-town magic
✨ Witches, wizards, demons & shifters
✨ MM & FM romances
✨ Happy Ever Afters
🌶️ Different levels of 

#ARCReview #Bookstagram #ParanormalRomance #RomanceAnthology #SmallTownRomance #Witches #Shifters #MMRomance #RomanceBooks

📚 Chronique ARC

Bienvenue à Driftwood Pointe, une petite ville typique de Nouvelle-Angleterre où les livres peuvent voler jusqu’à vous lorsqu’ils ont besoin que vous les lisiez, où la mer se souvient, et où l’on peut partir pendant des années tout en restant chez soi.

Et dans cette petite ville pleine de magie, le barman du Hex & Hearth connaît votre prénom, la boisson dont vous avez besoin avant même que vous ayez eu le temps de commander. ✨

Dix autrices et auteurs ont uni leurs talents pour nous offrir dix courtes romances paranormales, chacune centrée sur un couple différent. Sorcières, sorciers, démons et métamorphes se croisent dans les rues de Driftwood Pointe pour donner vie à de jolies histoires d’amour, certaines MM, d’autres FM, avec différents niveaux de spice.

Mais toutes ont un point commun : un happy ever after. ❤️

J’ai beaucoup aimé me promener dans cette petite ville et découvrir chacune de ces histoires et de ces personnages. L’ensemble donne vraiment l’impression d’ouvrir de petites fenêtres sur un univers magique beaucoup plus vaste… et j’aurais volontiers continué à y flâner un peu plus longtemps.

L’anthologie propose également de nombreux bonus offerts par les auteurs, ce qui rend l’ensemble encore plus agréable et donne vraiment l’impression d’être invité à découvrir Driftwood Pointe de l’intérieur.

✨ Romance paranormale
✨ Magie et petite ville
✨ Sorcières, sorciers, démons & métamorphes
✨ Romances MM & FM
✨ Happy ever after
🌶️ Différents niveaux de spice

#ChroniqueLivre #BookstagramFR #RomanceParanormale #AnthologieRomance #RomanceMagique #Sorcières #Métamorphes #RomanceMM #AvisLecture

[Anna Beck]

This collection of stand alone short stories was good. All of them are focused around a small town and its inhabitants. Overall, I enjoyed this ARC copy and am leaving a couple sentences reviews for each story that are my open and honest opinions/thoughts. My favorite story was Fickle Fate by Heather Leighson. It also felt like the most complete short of the whole book.

Story 1: loved the witchy vibes, the last chapter felt very rushed though. The bedroom scene worked, but didn’t seem to fit.
Story 2: what a fun, cute story. Aldric was such an interesting character. It left me wanting more Elara.
Story 3: short stories can leave so much unanswered and unexplored. They are a tease, and this one was no different. I’d read a longer story of these two. Two shifters finding their own way. What are they each searching for and why? Will they find it? The comments in the epilogue, I wanted more.
Story 4: TBH, I was expecting Mer in this story, not a conniving villain. I loved that they found each other again, that their love prevailed and they got their memories back.
Story 5: it started very boring; didn’t get good until about halfway through. Dane was an interesting character, curious to know if he’ll stick around now that his magic is gone and what will happen to everyone that he swindled.
Story 6: so far, this is probably my favorite story. Two nomad witches find each other and are spelled by a brownie who means well.
Story 7: Nell was starting over. Instalust with vet. Not a lot more to say.
Story 8: 5⭐️ this was perfect! Chason wants someone to choose him. Rafe is scared of a past that wasn’t real. They are mates and figure out that not being together is worse. I’ve read this author before and have loved all her books, this short is not an exception.
Story 9: this story too felt complete. Goldie knew Maggie wasn’t being truthful, but family sticks together, that’s what she told herself anyway. Jasper was trying to help, he didn’t know what he was helping exactly, but still trying.
Story 10: I did not like this story. The writing was odd and it was hard to follow.

[Johanna]

Mercy’s Reckoning by Ginger Maddox
This was a fun story! Loved seeing true love find its way back to each other so many years later and it reconciling the past. I love how she found a man who let her truly embrace who she is at her core too. ❤️

Love, Magic and Mr Mcfluffinstuff
Oh, this one was cute! She’s a successful author who writes murder mysteries and paranormal stories.

She has no filter and says some of the greatest lines lol



Secret Storm by KL Dyer

Two people finding their way and bumping into each other LITERALLY and started their journey together I also like how it was left open for her to expand upon later if the author chooses

Where the Tide Remembers by Samantha Cole
This was a neat one! Two lovers separated but they don’t know why. Of course the magical town helped them remember why 🥰🥰

Sealed With Kiss by Daphne Darling

Ooh this story had a little bit of everything. Friendship, love, magic and finding your person. ❤️

Spellbound by Taryn Quinn

Ooh this one was fire! 🔥 They had a connection and then some outside forces had a little help in their CONNECTING lol


The Way Light Found Her by Carol Wolfe

This one was so cute! Love at first connection with a little magical flair thrown in❤️

Fickle Fate by Heather Leighson

A shifter drifts into Driftwood Pointe, finds a witch, a mate and a forever home. 🥰

The Spell Between Them by Bella Holtby

This one was cute! His grandma and her great aunt. Friends for a lifetime and brought them together in a way. ❤️

The Inheritance by MM Colt

This one was a slow build between them. They both had some minor emotional baggage to work through but they found each other. Their magic blended and healed in a way. 🥰

[Fedora]

A lovely set of stories all set in magical Driftwood Pointe, set roughly in chronological order…

MERCY’S RECKONING by Lucy Sonus
Mercy Finch owns Finch & Fable, Driftwood Pointe's bookstore. When Zane Bridges stumbles through the front door,

LOVE, MAGIC, AND MR. McFLUFFINSTUFF by Ginger Maddox ///.
Fae Aldric Wrest is tasked with showing the visiting author, Waverly Anderson, around Driftwood Pointe.

SECRET STORM by KL Dyer ///
Charlotte and Knolan run into each other literally at the Finch & Fable, each looking for books to help them with their quests.

WHERE THE TIDE REMEMBERS by Samantha Cole ///.
Brett is drawn to rescue a seeming stranger in the midst of a violent storm, pulling him from the ocean waves and bringing him home to recover. His brain supplies a name, Julian...

SEALED WITH A KISS by Daphne Darling ///
Sienna's cursed to see the usually awful and untimely end of whomever she kisses in a twisted vision kind of way. When she "sees" a mysterious man who does not seem to meet this fate, she's determined to discover who it is and finally gain freedom... That true love cannot be her best friend, Cal, can it?


SPELLBOUND by Taryn Quinn ////.
Warlock Bishop Parrish just wants to get home to Salem but he seems led rather determinedly to a small town, Driftwood Pointe. Witch Sloan Locke is just enjoying a drink at Hex and Hearth when an irresistibly captivating man takes the seat beside her. They are mutually drawn together as if magnetized…. Taryn Quinn’s tantalizing short story combines sweet heat with a hint of mystery. A terrific read.

THE WAY LIGHT FOUND HER by Carole Wolfe

FICKLE FATE by Heather Leighson

THE SPELL BETWEEN THEM by Bella Holtby

THE INHERITANCE by MM Colt

[Ana Silva]

I had so much fun reading this anthology! It had been a while since I read MF stories but I was so invested in the ones here.

I’ve always been interested in everything paranormal and this anthology had most of favorite things. I loved the whole vibe of the town, especially the bar. It seemed like Hex & Hearth was the HQ for everyone who needed some kind of guidance or the final piece to put things in their lives together.

I loved how every story was different yet intertwined with all the others. Every character felt somewhat incomplete until they arrived at Driftwood Pointe. The pull from the town was just so magnetic and difficult to ignore. But the best part of it was they all found themselves and their own HEA.

The wrongs were righted and curses were lifted. If you’re looking for stories that will make you swoon, enchanted bars that know you better than you know yourself and guaranteed happy endings, this anthology has it all!

[Jen]

Hello dear readers,
This was a lovely collection of stories of magic, finding oneself and much more!

Each story is set in this magical town called Driftwood Pointe and its lovely bar call Hex and Hearth. (Which I wish I could go to in real life!) it has a very practical magic vibe.

I will not go into details of each story as they are short but each story has its own flavour and spark!

I highly recommend picking this up if you’re looking for something that has a nice level of spice and magic!

Happy reading!

[Lacey Cooper]

This paranormal anthology is such a fun read. The primary trope is fated mates within multiple of the short stories.
My favorites were the two MM stories, I wish there had been more of them.

Each story has its own spice level rating in the beginning which is amazing because it allowed me to prepare myself.

[Emily]

This entire anthology just made me want to live in Driftwood Pointe. This was the perfect book to make cozy, fall season feel close. I loved each individual novella and I wish there was more stories written in general for each couple. The magic, the warmth, the safety you feel from reading about the town is magical.

[Deb]

A great collaboration of stories involving magic 8n a small town with a tavern by the name of Hex & Hearth

[CHRIS HAMEL]

Absolute!y brilliant

Multiple amazing authors with 10 different but impact ful stories. Each story was gripping, interesting, sexy, and a perfect combination of funny, sweet, and serious. Must read! Thank you, Chris Hamel, Quincy MA

[Reading by Deb]

This anthology centers around a small seaside town in Massachusetts. All of the stories feature the Hex & Hearth local tavern and the owners, Rowan and Elara, can be found in each story along with seemingly related black cats.

Zane arrives in town to lift a curse on his family and Mercy is the last person he expected to help.

The mayor tasked Aldric with showing an arriving author around town for research on her new book. The museum gave her surprising material.

Charlotte came looking for a sanctuary to escape her shifter pack who want to use her magic.

Brett finds a man who barely made it to shore alive and without memory of who he was or how he ended in the ocean.

Sienna is having erotic dreams, but the best thing about him is his kiss breaks her curse. Now she is on the search for the one man she can kiss and not see in the future and how he will die.

Traffic and hurricane flooding veer Bishop away from Salem towards Driftwood Pointe. Only to have a mischievous Brownie spike the drink of the woman sitting next to him at the Hex & Hearth tavern.

Nell arrives in town to help her friend with her business, only to rush to find a local vet after someone hit a cat and drive away without checking to see if it lived.

Rafe arrives in town searching for his missing sister. Except his wolf goes rogue after picking up a different scent.

Goldie gets concerned when she notices her Aunt Maggie's declining health and unstable magic potions.

Sylvie returns to Driftwood Pointe to settle her grandmother's estate and finally come to grips with her empath abilities.

I loved this anthology. Ten stories that are well written and blend together seamlessly. The characters are a blend of magical beings - from witches to shifters and things in between.

The complete anthology is action-packed with some stories steamier than others, but all of the stories will have to turning the pages. Highly recommend!

[Tima]

Reviews for titles as listed below only:

Spellbound by Taryn Quinn
4.5 stars. This short story is dual POV, well written, and a fast-paced, steamy, instant attraction, contemporary paranormal romance between Sloan, the female lead, and Bishop, the male lead, both of whom are magic practitioners, thrown together due to the “circumstances” of a storm and some ingestible magic aid. I enjoyed their steamy intimate scenes and the expedited intimacy that allowed them to share details with each other that suggested longterm compatibility. I enjoyed the HFN ending.

Love, Magic, and Mr. McFluffinstuff by Ginger Maddox
4 stars. This short story is dual POV, well written, and a fast-paced, mostly sweet, instant attraction, paranormal romance between Aldric, the male Fae lead, and Waverly, the apparently human female author lead who has come to town and who he’s acting as your guide for. I enjoyed the character interactions, and the respect between the characters. I enjoyed the unravelling of the mystery that was Waverly, and Aldric’s willingness to travel with her.

Where the Tide Remembers by Samantha Cole
4 stars. This short story is dual POV, well written, and a fast-paced, mystery focused, comfort/healing, contemporary paranormal romance between “Julian”, the male lead emerging from the ocean with no memory, and Brett, the male lead who found him on the beach and took care of him. I empathised with the initial confusion and sense of familiarity for no reason and enjoyed the unravelling mystery of how Julian came to be in the situation he was in. I enjoyed the building intimacy and the comfort and joy the characters found in each other.


I received a complimentary copy from the authors and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Kris]

I really enjoyed this collection of paranormal romances! There’s a great mix of sweet, steamy and spicy stories, along with a couple of MM (not my preferred genre, but the stories were ok), so there’s definitely something for everyone.

I loved the variety of characters, with fae, witches, wolves, leopards, warlocks and humans all making appearances. The different tropes kept things interesting, with everything from curses and mate bonds to enemies, second chances, forbidden romance, amnesia and surprise connections.

With all the stories appearing to be set in the same small town, some were more obviously connected than others, while a few felt more like complete standalone stories, but it was fun seeing the little connections between them.

As with any anthology, I definitely had favourites, but overall it was a fun collection with plenty of paranormal romance, interesting characters and lots of different storylines to choose from.

A great one to dip in and out of when you're in the mood for a quick paranormal romance. 

- Lucy Sonus - Mercy’s Reckoning: Zane and Mercy
- Ginger Maddox - Love, Magic and Mr McFluffinstuff: Aldric and Waverly
- KL Dyer - Secret Storm: Knolan and Charlotte
- Samantha Cole - Where The Tide Remembers (MM): Brett and Julian
- Daphne Darling - Sealed With A Kiss: Cal and Sienna
- Taryn Quinn - Spellbound: Bishop and Sloan
- Carole Wolfe - The Way Light Found Her: Thomas and Nell
- Heather Leighson - Fickle Fate (MM): Rafe and Chason
- Bella Holtby - The Spell Between Them: Jasper and Goldie
- M.M. Colt - The Inheritance: Jonah and Sylvie

[arieste323]

The Hex and Hearth anthology is truly magical. I am not an avid paranormal reader but this anthology had me hooked. Hex and Hearth Pub is in Driftwood Pointe and a safe space for all. Elara and Rowan run it and when you arrive you get the drink you need and sometimes the answers to what you are searching for or a point in the right direction. Each short story is of two people who are drawn together and
find an undeniable connection that is beyond comprehension. Each book is of varying spice and definitely better to be read from the beginning.
In Secret Storm by KL Dyer Charlotte and Knolan are both shifters in town in search of answers. They bump into each other and have an instant connection and when they end up at Hex and Hearth their bond is further explored.
In Where the Tide Remembers by Samantha Cole Julian washes ashore and is found by Brett. These two have that feeling of knowing each other but can't place it. Brett takes care of Julian and they go to Hex and Hearth and they get their answers.
Definitely a 5 star must read anthology. I truly enjoyed all the stories. Thank you to the authors for the advanced copy I look forward to reading more of their books.

[Janet]

Nice collection of stories

I had to read Heather Leighson's story because I've been reading her Enforcers hockey series. Fickle Fate starred Rafe, a wolf shifter, and his witch mate, Chason. Heather could definitely branch out into paranormal romance, seeing what a good job she did with this, making the MCs work for it and giving credence to their pairing.
My favourite story in this anthology was Where the Tide Remembers. Samantha Cole is a new author to me and I thoroughly enjoyed her atmospheric, enigmatic love story that spanned decades. She pulled me into the story from the very first sentence and I was hooked. The bonus epilogue is lovely, well worth reading.
I liked Daphne Darling's Sealed with a Kiss, starring a woman who has visions that she really wishes she didn't. Sienna's story includes a character who featured in Where the Tide Remembers, and you'll be happy with the outcome for him this time around.
The rest of the stories were interesting too, a decent selection where you can revisit old friends and maybe find new friends too. Thanks very much to all the authors involved.

[Melanie]

Driftwood Pointe, Massachusetts is a small town filled wth magical beings. There are shifters, witches, brownies, mages, seers and sages. Ten short stories from ten different authors were delightful and enchanting. Although I've read them all, here are a few highlights.

Where The Tide Remembers - Samantha Cole
This story starts off dangerously and dramatically. It's about fated love, memories and sacrifices. Most intriguing.

Mercy's Reckoning - Lucy Sonus
Zane Bridges and Mercy Finch are brought together by a 300+ year history. They both have secrets that when revealed could end a relationship before it gets started.

Love, Magic and Mr. McFluffinstuff - Ginger Maddox
An author visits Driftwood Pointe to research her new book. She feels strong attachment to this quaint village but the reasons are unclear. A talisman in a historical museum provides the key and the sexiest man alive sends chillls up and down her spine.

Make sure you download the epilogues. They put a fine point on the stories!

[Ritu]

All stories take place in Driftwood Pointe.
Mercy's Reckoning-Lucy Sonus: Mercy and Zane get their second chance. Love, magic, and Mr. Mcfluffinstuff-Ginger Maddox: Aldric and Waverly are drawn together; a talisman returns what was once taken. Secret Storm-KL Dyer: Charlotte finds refuge, and bonds with Knolan. Where the tide remembers-Samantha Cole: Brett helps Julian heal, and reconnect with his memory. Sealed with a kiss-Daphne Darling: Cal is amazing to Sienna. Spellbound-Taryn Quinn: Bishop and Sloan are spelled, and bound together. The way light found her-Carole Wolfe: Nell discovers magic with Thomas. Fickle fate-Heather Leighson: Rafe & Row fulfill one another. The spell between them-Bella Holtby: Goldie & Jasper right what went wrong. The inheritance-M.M. Colt: The inheritance brings Sylvie and Jonah together.

Got me in the Halloween mood, love all the felines featured throughout the anthology.

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

[Andrea Smierciak]

Absolutely loved all the stories in this anthology. They were perfectly arranged so they can be read as standalones but so much more if you read together since based around same time and same town.

Spellbound by Taryn Quinn What a wonderful story of love and finding your soulmate. This story is part of the Hex & Hearth anthology. It can be read as a standalone but best if read in order of the whole book of anthologies. Bishop a powerful warlock is determined to atone for his ancestors wrongs and remain alone. Sloan searches for a soulmate but has been fine traveling and being alone as she mentors with other witches. A meeting that was nudged by forces beyond themselves brings them together to build something strong and solve their loneliness. Can they put down their shields to bond forever?

[Quirky Reader]

I loved this! Set in Driftwood Pointe, a lovely small town. The Paranormal stories were creative and fun. Each author having their own spin on things, made reading the stories exciting. The descriptions and aspects of the town brought out the charm. I’d love to have a drink at the Hex and Hearth.

I had some favorites - Taryn Quinn is as fun and spicy as ever. Samantha Cole tells an MM story so beautifully. Ginger Maddox had me laughing, which is no surprise.

The only thing I will say is some of the stories were really connected and others didn’t see as much. Maybe a continuity editor would have helped? But that’s the only negative I have.

5 stars and a great read for anyone wanting something fun!

I read this as an advanced ARC copy.

[Wendy Hodges]

Stories all set in a small town full of history, characters are a mix of various paranormal beings. Witches, shifters, fae and more. Each story is interesting, great reading and I loved getting to know the community and newcomers. Some characters appear in several stories and centre around certain establishments. I mainly read it for Samantha Cole's story, which was fabulous and gripping, but I enjoyed every single one of them. Some have links for bonus epilogues which is a real bonus. I couldn't fault any of these tales and happily reccomend reading it.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packedEasy-to-readEntertainingHauntingHappily Ever AfterOriginalPage-turnerRomanticSteamyTwistedUnpredictableWittyWonderful characters

[Karen T]

I came to this anthology for one author and stayed for the rest. This was a collection of enjoyable short stories featuring a mix of M/F and M/M romances. I loved the variety of paranormal elements, with witches, shifters and supernaturals bringing something different to each story. The stories are interconnected, which gave the anthology a lovely sense of continuity while still allowing each romance to stand on its own. There was a good mix of sweet and steamy, with different heat levels throughout, so there was plenty of variety. Some stories stood out to me more than others, although I do enjoy Heather Leighson’s work. Overall, Hex & Hearth was an enjoyable collection and a fun introduction to several authors I hadn’t read before.

[Susan]

What a fantastic book. I love when authors get together and give us a anthology. So not only are you getting a really great big book but it's all these different stories so it's not just one long story I like those it's a beautiful change of pace. I thought all the authors did a great job in this book collection of books I guess I should say but I have to say I feel in love with the characters in Samantha story. I don't know what it was but they just stole my heart. The stories are very well written and like I said it's a bunch of mini stories so that way you feel like you got 10 stories for the one price. I really enjoyed all of the stories in this book I highly recommend that you give it a try

[Ramona]

Loved it. Ten delightful stories in this engaging serial set in a small town, Driftwood Pointe, Massachusetts. The writers did a fantastic job in this collection of intertwining the characters that are introduce in the stories. The first story is "Mercy's Reckoning" by Lucy Sonus/Lisa Hughey that's about Mercy our bookstore owner of "Finch and Fable" and a witch who gets involved with Zane who looking to break a family curse and ends with "The Inheritance" by M.M. Colt that's about Sylvie a empath who returns back to her grandmother June's cottage that she inherited and Jonah who's been caretaking the property. All the stories are engaging to read, and the characters are likable and interesting. I'd volunteer to read and review this copy I'd received.

[judith vaughan]

I chose for to review Heather Leighson's contribution to this anthology "Fickle Fate", which is about Rafe and Chason. Rafe is a wolf and Chason is a practicing witch. Chason is having dreams of a wolf chasing him and when he catches him kisses him. Chason is very unsure of what is happening but I think deep down he is here for it. When Rafe and Chason finally run into each other Rafe's wolf is screaming mate which of course Rafe is fighting. Secrets that have been buried come to light causing Rafe to question a lot one thing he doesn't question is the bond that he and Chason have. They are fated mates and when they leave each other even if it is for a minute they feel like they are being torn apart. Chason and Rafe definitely deserved their HEA and they deserved each other.

[Sandy Pereira]

This is a must read for just about anyone who enjoys seaside, witchy taverns, black cats and romance. This anthology contains 10 wonderful stories from amazing authors. Each story has its own unique blend of romance, magic, and spice while keeping the small town, community feel that keeps you coming back for more. Rowan and Elara make the heart of Driftwood Pointe, The Hex & Hearth, feel like coming home to all. I love the fact the Rowan can pour you a drink that is your perfect match, while Elara makes a safe space to open up. I enjoyed the wide range of spice, romance, memorable characters and the sense of connection. I would recommend this book to all my reading friends!

I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. Thank you Book Sirens!