If Only a Heart and Other Tales of Terror

By: Caleb Stephens

Narrated by: Dr. NoSleep

Includes the Story "The Wallpaper Man", now a short film from Falconer Film and Media.

An unlikely friendship is born in the red clay dirt of a trailer park. Two latchkey kids who will do anything to hold onto one other, despite the consequences.

A disabled boy and his sister move into a house by the sea, one haunted by a demon living in the walls.

A father on a camping trip in a remote section of Appalachia wakes to find his daughter missing, taken by something not quite human.

A traumatized teenager stumbles across a strange slide at a waterpark—one only he can see.

If Only a Heart and Other Tales of Terror is a visceral collection of 13 stories that explore what happens when we open ourselves to others and dare to let them in. There are monsters in this book, yes, ones whose teeth cut deep, but never as deep as the teeth of the monsters in the mirror.

©2022 Caleb Stephens (P)2023 Caleb Stephens

Critic reviews

"A captivating collection of creepy tales, infused with loss and pathos, about the most terrifying organ in the body—the human heart." (Brian Asman, author of Man, F--k This House)

“Caleb Stephens is a hell of a writer, certainly. But he’s also a diabolical magician. In If Only a Heart, he populates his tales with characters so familiar at first glance, so seemingly comforting, you’d swear they were your own family, friends, neighbors…even yourself. But while you’re distracted, he lets dread and terror seep in until they’ve sawed your heart in half. ‘How’d he do it?’ you ask; but it’s too late, the next trick’s about to begin.” (Patrick Barb, author of Helicopter Parenting in the Age of Drone Warfare and Gargantuana’s Ghost)

“If Only a Heart is a series of rich and vivid nightmares. Caleb Stephens powerfully weaves inhuman terrors into all-too-human tales of fraught relationships and personal suffering. Gorgeous prose. A breathtaking collection.” (Christi Nogle, Bram Stoker award-winning author of Beulah)

This author has the best audiobooks

If you enjoy horror stories that are chock-full of unease, gore and both physical and mental reactions to insane storylines… you have GOT to snag this one. These stories are heartbreaking and terrifying and live with me now. The audiobook is a real treat, sound effects and a great narrator — easily draws you into the horrors.

something for everyone who loves horror

If Only a Heart by Caleb Stephens really has something for everyone. I enjoyed multiple stories. But The Atoll was the one for me. Gimme the ocean and a couple people stranded. Things get weird. I'm always in. Welcome to Camp Klehani wasn't your usual camp story. Shadow Puppets was another favorite that left just enough for your imagination to really go wild with it. Caleb really made a point to have a little bit of everything in this book. If you enjoy short stories check it out.

Dr. NoSleep is the narrator for the audible version. The production was above and beyond what I was expecting based on other audiobooks. There's ambiance music, sound effects, and all. To be fair, I expect nothing less from Dr. NoSleep. If you're a fan, you are gonna need the audiobook.

Thank you Caleb for my audible copy. I really enjoyed spending a day within your stories.

horror story lover's dream

perfect length narrator background effects! you won't be disappointed. I've since downloaded the author's other works

Spine tingling Awesomeness

Thank You Caleb Stephens and Narrator Dr NoSleep

I Love the Collection of Stories in this book. It's a Fast Pace with Relatiable Characters.
The Narrator is Perfectly Matched. I love that it sounds like a radio play. These Stories are literally leaping over the page as I read further. Lovers of Blood and Gore will cringe as the story continues. 99.9 percent of Horror lovers should love these stories

Extreme horror
Dysfunctional Family Relations
Extreme Gore


Trigger Points of Course

This is an audio experience

I read this collection earlier this year and it was excited to see the audiobook now available. This book was scary when I read it, listening on audio elevated that experience exponentially. The sound effects and the music in the background were a creepy perfection

The Book I Never Knew I Needed

If you enjoy short, narrated stories, Jackpot! A wonderful collection of short stories, narrated by one of my favorite narrators Dr., NoSleep. I really enjoyed the stories. You will definitely find something that you like.
Bravo!!!!

This is a solid collection

I really enjoyed this collection. Standout stories for me were sinister creepers The Wallpaper Man and The Backwards Man, the heartbreaking You Have to Let Him Burn and If Only a Heart, and the final story - Stephens ended strong with the creepy fever dream that was The Atoll. There were one or two stories I found myself losing focus during, but the the majority of them captured my interest early and held my attention.

The only real critique I have is the narration & production, complete with sound effects, was a little too much of a distraction at points. I think reading this one might be the better way to go. Regardless, it’s definitely well worth the read.