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Anthology: Love Stories Inspired by Country Music
A romantic and heartfelt collection unlike any other, ANTHOLOGY reads like your favorite country playlist, bringing timeless love songs by legendary artists such as Garth Brooks, George Strait, Tim McGraw, and Taylor Swift to life.
From the windswept plains of Texas to ground zero of Hurricane Katrina, from the orchards of Central California to Hollywood’s elite parties, from a military post in North Carolina to Tanzania’s breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, ANTHOLOGY celebrates the raw emotional power of country music. Fans of Nicholas Sparks and Heidi McLaughlin won’t be able to put it down.
In a series of twelve “tracks”, ANTHOLOGY begins with That Summer, a tender and passionate tale of a hardened widow who falls for her teenaged farmhand. In Roller Coaster, a whirlwind summer romance is threatened by the storm of a lifetime. A famous actress is starstruck by a returning soldier who doesn’t know she’s famous in Enchanted, and a couple on safari explores whether their marriage is worth saving in Austin. Get swept off your feet in these and other stories of unrequited love, heartbreak, second chances, and finding your way home again.
Tracks include:
That Summer (Garth Brooks)
Roller Coaster (Luke Bryan)
Enchanted (Taylor Swift)
Austin (Blake Shelton)
She Don’t Love You (She’s Just Lonely) (Eric Paslay)
Just a Dream (Carrie Underwood)
Interstate/Kiss Me in the Dark (Randy Rogers Band)
Red Ragtop (Tim McGraw)
Dancing Away with my Heart (Lady A)
Amarillo by Morning (George Strait)
Come a Little Closer (Dierks Bentley)
Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)
Praise for ANTHOLOGY:
"Heisinger’s writing in these and other stories is sturdy and straightforward... their heroines relatably curse and wear cutoff shorts as they look for true love... The collection’s lively banter, wish fulfillment, and country grit carry the day. A light and appealing romance collection for country music fans." - Kirkus Reviews
"Heisinger proves she is in a level and class all by herself with her smoothness of the transitions from scene to scene, the realistic character development, and of course, we can’t forget her finely-tuned descriptive method... If this were an account of an athletic event, I’d say, Heisinger hits a grand slam, wins the slam dunk contest and scores a big touchdown." - Becky at Booksirens.
“Each story has its moments of melancholy, sadness, happiness, love, and enlightenment that lead to satisfying conclusions.” – IndieReader.
Praise for That Summer:
“Excellent. Some of the dialogue reminded me of Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy, which I loved.” - Nick Earls, author of the acclaimed Wisdom Tree series
"As an Oklahoma girl and super fan of Garth, I could feel the warm wind blowing and hear the soundtrack playing throughout. A great little trip back home." - 5-star Amazon review
"Genius!!!" - 5-star Amazon review
"What you picture when you hear the song." - 5-star Amazon review
Praise for Blue Christmas:
"This was seriously amazing. Brilliant writing. The world deserves Blue Christmas after this hellish year." - Eden Campbell, author
From the windswept plains of Texas to ground zero of Hurricane Katrina, from the orchards of Central California to Hollywood’s elite parties, from a military post in North Carolina to Tanzania’s breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, ANTHOLOGY celebrates the raw emotional power of country music. Fans of Nicholas Sparks and Heidi McLaughlin won’t be able to put it down.
In a series of twelve “tracks”, ANTHOLOGY begins with That Summer, a tender and passionate tale of a hardened widow who falls for her teenaged farmhand. In Roller Coaster, a whirlwind summer romance is threatened by the storm of a lifetime. A famous actress is starstruck by a returning soldier who doesn’t know she’s famous in Enchanted, and a couple on safari explores whether their marriage is worth saving in Austin. Get swept off your feet in these and other stories of unrequited love, heartbreak, second chances, and finding your way home again.
Tracks include:
That Summer (Garth Brooks)
Roller Coaster (Luke Bryan)
Enchanted (Taylor Swift)
Austin (Blake Shelton)
She Don’t Love You (She’s Just Lonely) (Eric Paslay)
Just a Dream (Carrie Underwood)
Interstate/Kiss Me in the Dark (Randy Rogers Band)
Red Ragtop (Tim McGraw)
Dancing Away with my Heart (Lady A)
Amarillo by Morning (George Strait)
Come a Little Closer (Dierks Bentley)
Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)
Praise for ANTHOLOGY:
"Heisinger’s writing in these and other stories is sturdy and straightforward... their heroines relatably curse and wear cutoff shorts as they look for true love... The collection’s lively banter, wish fulfillment, and country grit carry the day. A light and appealing romance collection for country music fans." - Kirkus Reviews
"Heisinger proves she is in a level and class all by herself with her smoothness of the transitions from scene to scene, the realistic character development, and of course, we can’t forget her finely-tuned descriptive method... If this were an account of an athletic event, I’d say, Heisinger hits a grand slam, wins the slam dunk contest and scores a big touchdown." - Becky at Booksirens.
“Each story has its moments of melancholy, sadness, happiness, love, and enlightenment that lead to satisfying conclusions.” – IndieReader.
Praise for That Summer:
“Excellent. Some of the dialogue reminded me of Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy, which I loved.” - Nick Earls, author of the acclaimed Wisdom Tree series
"As an Oklahoma girl and super fan of Garth, I could feel the warm wind blowing and hear the soundtrack playing throughout. A great little trip back home." - 5-star Amazon review
"Genius!!!" - 5-star Amazon review
"What you picture when you hear the song." - 5-star Amazon review
Praise for Blue Christmas:
"This was seriously amazing. Brilliant writing. The world deserves Blue Christmas after this hellish year." - Eden Campbell, author
- GenresAnthologies
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2020
107 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 11, 2020
I love country music so when I saw this short story series I had to give it a try.
Prior to reading any story in the book I listened to the tracks. I really recommend you do this. In fact I’ve created a playlist with them all so I can do the same with each one in Anthology and I’d love if the author created a semi-official playlist to go with the Anthology Book.
The stories move quickly and admittedly if you didn’t know they are based on songs you may be surprised at how short they are. But it’s perfect for what they are truly meant to be.
The author has covered many sensitive topics in the stories and has handled them with grace and tact. (I won’t spoil it for any future readers by stating what). There is a story in there that everyone can relate to. Just like there is a country song for every part of life.
Some of these could easily be expanded and turned into full books. The author shows they are more than capable and it’s something I’d love to see from them in the future. In fact that’s the only reason this isn’t 5* - I was left wanting more from each one.
It’s genius really. Country music is all about life, love and death. One big story telling genre. So why not turn songs into full stories?
I was provided a copy of this Anthology as an ARC. I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are true and honest to my opinions.
Prior to reading any story in the book I listened to the tracks. I really recommend you do this. In fact I’ve created a playlist with them all so I can do the same with each one in Anthology and I’d love if the author created a semi-official playlist to go with the Anthology Book.
The stories move quickly and admittedly if you didn’t know they are based on songs you may be surprised at how short they are. But it’s perfect for what they are truly meant to be.
The author has covered many sensitive topics in the stories and has handled them with grace and tact. (I won’t spoil it for any future readers by stating what). There is a story in there that everyone can relate to. Just like there is a country song for every part of life.
Some of these could easily be expanded and turned into full books. The author shows they are more than capable and it’s something I’d love to see from them in the future. In fact that’s the only reason this isn’t 5* - I was left wanting more from each one.
It’s genius really. Country music is all about life, love and death. One big story telling genre. So why not turn songs into full stories?
I was provided a copy of this Anthology as an ARC. I am not being paid for my reviews and all opinions are true and honest to my opinions.
March 23, 2021
Nice...
I love country music so this was fun to read. Would I have written different stories? Maybe, but not as well as Sonja did. Enjoy this book.
I love country music so this was fun to read. Would I have written different stories? Maybe, but not as well as Sonja did. Enjoy this book.
March 28, 2021
An excellent collection of shorts that ate full of heartfelt emotion. Each one takes you on a quick journey giving you a glimpse of things. These stories are done in a way that you can relate or connect to them. They're all well written and definitely enjoyable.
March 20, 2021
Anthology
I, too, love country music. I would read the lyrics and listen to the song before I read each short story. What a great idea and what a great book!
I, too, love country music. I would read the lyrics and listen to the song before I read each short story. What a great idea and what a great book!
March 31, 2021
Sweet
Loved them all !!! So easy to relate to because if you didn't go through something like that then some of your friends did. I actually reread them not having enough the first time. Great work, keep em coming .
Loved them all !!! So easy to relate to because if you didn't go through something like that then some of your friends did. I actually reread them not having enough the first time. Great work, keep em coming .
June 16, 2024
I just finished reading Anthology: Love Stories Inspired by Country Music; it’s a bit after 3 AM & I should have been sleeping hours ago. I couldn’t resist …just one more.
This is not a ‘happy’ book. There is a strong, bittersweet current that runs thru most of the stories. I knew most of the songs, but listening to each song before reading the corresponding story was beautiful. I highly recommend it, even if you already know the song…or think you do. Some tales had elements very close to the song, others, a bit further, unexpected; yet they were perfect pairings.
As short as the tales were, they’d sucked me in, absorbing my heart so that I felt what the character felt, the regret, longing, disappointment, piercing bursts of joy, others of pain that stole my breath. I cried. Not flat out ugly cried, but soft, sad tears just the same.
Sonja Heisinger has a gift of building up to a reveal. How did the character get to the place in their story? Why did they reject the choices that could have so greatly altered their course? I think of the characters and wonder where they are now; were the promises and hopes hinted at, fulfilled? I’d love to know. Yet, maybe that’s part of the pull; the characters wonder, too.
Read the author note at the end. It provided insight into the author’s mind & heart, and how she came to share such personal feelings.
Sonja Heisinger is a new author for me; I expect to read much more.
This is not a ‘happy’ book. There is a strong, bittersweet current that runs thru most of the stories. I knew most of the songs, but listening to each song before reading the corresponding story was beautiful. I highly recommend it, even if you already know the song…or think you do. Some tales had elements very close to the song, others, a bit further, unexpected; yet they were perfect pairings.
As short as the tales were, they’d sucked me in, absorbing my heart so that I felt what the character felt, the regret, longing, disappointment, piercing bursts of joy, others of pain that stole my breath. I cried. Not flat out ugly cried, but soft, sad tears just the same.
Sonja Heisinger has a gift of building up to a reveal. How did the character get to the place in their story? Why did they reject the choices that could have so greatly altered their course? I think of the characters and wonder where they are now; were the promises and hopes hinted at, fulfilled? I’d love to know. Yet, maybe that’s part of the pull; the characters wonder, too.
Read the author note at the end. It provided insight into the author’s mind & heart, and how she came to share such personal feelings.
Sonja Heisinger is a new author for me; I expect to read much more.
March 20, 2021
Please see individual stories for review.
Behind every song is a story.
From the windswept plains of Texas to ground zero of Hurricane Katrina, from the orchards of Central California to Hollywood’s elite parties, from a military post in North Carolina to Tanzania’s breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, comes a moving collection of love stories that celebrates the raw emotional power of country music. Fans of Nicholas Sparks and Heidi McLaughlin won’t be able to put it down.
A compilation unlike any other, these timeless country favorites are brought to life in ANTHOLOGY:
That Summer (Garth Brooks)
Roller Coaster (Luke Bryan)
Enchanted (Taylor Swift)
Austin (Blake Shelton)
She Don’t Love You (She’s Just Lonely) (Eric Paslay)
Just a Dream (Carrie Underwood)
Interstate/Kiss Me in the Dark (Randy Rogers Band)
Red Ragtop (Tim McGraw)
Dancing Away with my Heart (Lady A)
Amarillo by Morning (George Strait)
Come a Little Closer (Dierks Bentley)
Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)
Behind every song is a story.
From the windswept plains of Texas to ground zero of Hurricane Katrina, from the orchards of Central California to Hollywood’s elite parties, from a military post in North Carolina to Tanzania’s breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, comes a moving collection of love stories that celebrates the raw emotional power of country music. Fans of Nicholas Sparks and Heidi McLaughlin won’t be able to put it down.
A compilation unlike any other, these timeless country favorites are brought to life in ANTHOLOGY:
That Summer (Garth Brooks)
Roller Coaster (Luke Bryan)
Enchanted (Taylor Swift)
Austin (Blake Shelton)
She Don’t Love You (She’s Just Lonely) (Eric Paslay)
Just a Dream (Carrie Underwood)
Interstate/Kiss Me in the Dark (Randy Rogers Band)
Red Ragtop (Tim McGraw)
Dancing Away with my Heart (Lady A)
Amarillo by Morning (George Strait)
Come a Little Closer (Dierks Bentley)
Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)
February 11, 2021
I don't consider myself a romance reader, and barely ever listen to country music. I picked this book to read with some trepidation, but it's nearly Valentine's Day and what was the worst that could happen?
Likely best if read a story at a time over a week or two, and indeed released as a story-a-month, I of course, binge-read through this anthology over two days and felt a little tired of the since-school-sweethearts and Austin by the time I reached the end.
However, I have decided to grant this book four stars out of five because it overcame my reluctance to engage in romance stories and entertained and involved me in several of it's tales - although not every story in the anthology was a real gripper, there were a few that truly did draw me in. My favourite was the second, "Roller Coaster."
This is my honest, unpaid review and I thank BookSirens and the author for the opportunity to review a free copy.
Likely best if read a story at a time over a week or two, and indeed released as a story-a-month, I of course, binge-read through this anthology over two days and felt a little tired of the since-school-sweethearts and Austin by the time I reached the end.
However, I have decided to grant this book four stars out of five because it overcame my reluctance to engage in romance stories and entertained and involved me in several of it's tales - although not every story in the anthology was a real gripper, there were a few that truly did draw me in. My favourite was the second, "Roller Coaster."
This is my honest, unpaid review and I thank BookSirens and the author for the opportunity to review a free copy.
December 14, 2020
Haunting Set Of Short Stories
I am not sure that any of these actually come from country songs. At least none that I am familiar with. They all are poignant, sad, bittersweet, melancholy, or heartbreaking. These are all well-written short stories that are too emotional to binge read. They need to be savored and digested. I found some quite haunting. Others seemed best forgotten. I would recommend this book to those who like to be sad now and then. I received this book for free and voluntarily chose to post my honest review.
I am not sure that any of these actually come from country songs. At least none that I am familiar with. They all are poignant, sad, bittersweet, melancholy, or heartbreaking. These are all well-written short stories that are too emotional to binge read. They need to be savored and digested. I found some quite haunting. Others seemed best forgotten. I would recommend this book to those who like to be sad now and then. I received this book for free and voluntarily chose to post my honest review.
August 23, 2021
This is a set of twelve short stories, two are interconnected, that deals with love, loss, and second chances. I enjoyed reading these stories, but some made me a little emotional. If you’re looking for a happily ever after at the end of each of these stories, you may want to give this a pass. The stories are good and some do get a happy ending, but not all. This is the first time I’ve read anything by this new to me author and I’ll definitely being reading more of her writing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSirens and this is my voluntary and honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSirens and this is my voluntary and honest review.
September 20, 2025
This book is like comfort food for your soul 🩷 If you’re a Country music fan, you’ll most likely recognize all, or most of the “tracks” the author is basing these amazing stories on. This is the perfect Anthology to add to your collection!! I can picture these stories in my mind, while listening to the songs, and visa versa. Reading this book has definitely made me listen to these songs over again a few times!! This Anthology was definitely creative and well written on the author’s part. I really enjoyed every story in this book ☺️♥️
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK 💙🦋🩵
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK 💙🦋🩵
December 17, 2021
This author does something unique with this book! 12 different country songs, and she writes a short story inspired by each. Mixing music with books, my favorite combo! She makes you love these characters, their story, break your heart and put it back together in just one short story. It will just make you want more. So so good!
December 30, 2020
Disclaimer. I realize I don't care for short stories.
The stories were good if you only have a short time to read. They seemed to just get to the juicy part and they were over. I really like stories with at least 250 pages.
Overall the stories were good just too short for me.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book
The stories were good if you only have a short time to read. They seemed to just get to the juicy part and they were over. I really like stories with at least 250 pages.
Overall the stories were good just too short for me.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book
December 24, 2021
Anthology love stories inspired by county music
All the stories were great. Country music tells a story some happy some sad but love is in the song. And I would say blue Christmas was my favorite because love waits.
All the stories were great. Country music tells a story some happy some sad but love is in the song. And I would say blue Christmas was my favorite because love waits.
December 31, 2021
Really Great Collection of Stories
Even though I've listened to country music for decades I recognized few of the inspirations fir these story's, however they are really good believable story's, a great read!
Even though I've listened to country music for decades I recognized few of the inspirations fir these story's, however they are really good believable story's, a great read!
May 14, 2022
Loved this anthology based on country songs. great way to take a beginning point from a song into a mini story. Some could be expanded in to a longer story. I enjoyed the playlist I made to listen along with the read too.
March 22, 2021
Vulgar language
Encountered bad language on first page of first story and searched and found many more. I don't about all the stories but this Columbus not appropriate.
Encountered bad language on first page of first story and searched and found many more. I don't about all the stories but this Columbus not appropriate.
March 23, 2021
Based on country songs. Most stories unconnected. Not a fan of short stories, it was difficult to make a connection with.
May 8, 2021
I enjoyed the interesting short stories that were quick reads with a happy ending.
December 21, 2021
Good read
I love country music a lot and these tracks really touched me and made me see fired in communities that menopause up and as
I love country music a lot and these tracks really touched me and made me see fired in communities that menopause up and as
March 3, 2022
wonderful stories
I enjoyed these stories very much. Each one more real than the last. Don’t expect them all to be happy endings. But they are love stories every one.
I enjoyed these stories very much. Each one more real than the last. Don’t expect them all to be happy endings. But they are love stories every one.
September 7, 2022
Cute short love storys
Read
January 3, 2023I love short story books. This one based on songs I knew was very good.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews