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Gargoyle
The mysterious lives of gargoyles.
They don't just hang out on buildings.
They right wrongs. They wreak havoc.
And they change the lives of unsuspecting people who never see them coming.
The hero...
Craig knows that Bea is in trouble. But Craig can't do anything about it--because he's a garden gargoyle and Bea can't hear his warnings. When unexpected visitors arrive to help, Craig finds the power he had all along. Now the neighborhood will never be the same.
The touchstone...
When a thunderstorm transports software expert Rose Waldman to thirteenth century France, she meets hunky stonemason Julien, who is secretly creating a gargoyle in defiance of his master mason. Can independent gadget loving Rose trust her life and heart to Julien, and can she really never go home again?
And the freak just trying to get along...
Sentenced to burn at the stake for sorcery, Merofled volunteers to help jaded warrior Alaric kill a gargoyle that threatens her village. But Merofled soon discovers the gargoyle is not a monster at all. It's a misfit just like her. Can she persuade Alaric to spare the gargoyle-and herself?
They don't just hang out on buildings.
They right wrongs. They wreak havoc.
And they change the lives of unsuspecting people who never see them coming.
The hero...
Craig knows that Bea is in trouble. But Craig can't do anything about it--because he's a garden gargoyle and Bea can't hear his warnings. When unexpected visitors arrive to help, Craig finds the power he had all along. Now the neighborhood will never be the same.
The touchstone...
When a thunderstorm transports software expert Rose Waldman to thirteenth century France, she meets hunky stonemason Julien, who is secretly creating a gargoyle in defiance of his master mason. Can independent gadget loving Rose trust her life and heart to Julien, and can she really never go home again?
And the freak just trying to get along...
Sentenced to burn at the stake for sorcery, Merofled volunteers to help jaded warrior Alaric kill a gargoyle that threatens her village. But Merofled soon discovers the gargoyle is not a monster at all. It's a misfit just like her. Can she persuade Alaric to spare the gargoyle-and herself?
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2013
2 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Beth Barany
29 books548 followersAward winning author, Beth Barany writes in several genres including young adult adventure fantasy, paranormal romance, and science fiction mysteries.
Inspired by living abroad in France and Quebec, she loves creating magical tales of romance, mystery, and adventure that empower women and girls to be the heroes of their own lives.
For fun, Beth enjoys walking her neighborhood, gardening on her patio, and watching movies and traveling with her husband, author Ezra Barany.
They live in Oakland, California with a piano, cats, and over 1,000 books.
Beth is also the author of bestselling nonfiction books for authors and aspiring authors and helps novelists through her courses and programs at Barany School of Fiction.
Inspired by living abroad in France and Quebec, she loves creating magical tales of romance, mystery, and adventure that empower women and girls to be the heroes of their own lives.
For fun, Beth enjoys walking her neighborhood, gardening on her patio, and watching movies and traveling with her husband, author Ezra Barany.
They live in Oakland, California with a piano, cats, and over 1,000 books.
Beth is also the author of bestselling nonfiction books for authors and aspiring authors and helps novelists through her courses and programs at Barany School of Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 28, 2021
Summary
Gargoyle is a collection of three enchanting romance novellas: On a Wing and a Prayer is a humorous contemporary romance by Kay Keppler, Touchstone of Love is a time travel romance by Beth Barany, and The Miller’s Daughter is a historical romance by Patricia Simpson. They are stories involving mysterious gargoyles that don’t just hang on buildings; they right wrongs, wreak havoc, and change lives.
Review
This was an awesome read! All three novellas were so entertaining! I wish that I have a garden gargoyle like Craig who can protect me from the bad guys, a gargoyle that would connect me to the man of my dreams, and a gargoyle that would save me from being condemned to death.
I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed reading this collection of novellas! They’re fascinating, funny, exciting, and heart-fluttering! I highly recommend this to readers who love mystical creatures and fantasy romance.
Gargoyle is a collection of three enchanting romance novellas: On a Wing and a Prayer is a humorous contemporary romance by Kay Keppler, Touchstone of Love is a time travel romance by Beth Barany, and The Miller’s Daughter is a historical romance by Patricia Simpson. They are stories involving mysterious gargoyles that don’t just hang on buildings; they right wrongs, wreak havoc, and change lives.
Review
This was an awesome read! All three novellas were so entertaining! I wish that I have a garden gargoyle like Craig who can protect me from the bad guys, a gargoyle that would connect me to the man of my dreams, and a gargoyle that would save me from being condemned to death.
I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed reading this collection of novellas! They’re fascinating, funny, exciting, and heart-fluttering! I highly recommend this to readers who love mystical creatures and fantasy romance.
October 30, 2013
I never pictured saying to myself "I need more gargoyles in my life" but this compilation of stories might just have me changing my mind. In this book are three novellas all about the stone carvings you see on the facades of buildings and all over court yards around the world. I've personally never read a story about said statues, and don't know much about them unless you count the Disney movie Hunchback of Notre Dame and the cartoon series named after them, so when I was asked to read and review this, it definitely got my attention. Since there are three stories, I'll break them down into the cute, the romantic and the redemption.
The cute one was On a Wing and a Prayer, the story about a garden gargoyle who is desperate to protect the homeowner Bea from her horrible drug-dealing ex-boyfriend and his attempts to scare her. Craig really won my heart over because of how determined he was to keep Bea from harm, even when he knows she can't hear him. After some meddling by modern versions of Roman Gods, he obtains the ability to fly and in doing so giving him the ability to protect her. This story was punctuated by a lot of humor and an overall sense of whimsy, which was really nice. It did get intense for a while there but gave a warm and fuzzy feeling at the end. I really enjoyed it's ability to fit all sorts characters into a short story and still be able to tell me exactly what the main characters all about in so little words. As much as I wanted to more about what was going on in the story, such as why Jupiter would see fit to send major Gods to protect one human, at the end of the day it is a short story so I understood the restraint on story lines. In the amount of story I did read however, Craig was absolutely a hero that Bea deserved.
Romance fell in the middle story, Touchstone of Love, that also through in some time travel into the mix. Rose Waldman started her trip to London via France, where everything seem to going exactly how she planned. That is until she misses her connecting flight and ends up staying the night in a small village in the countryside. Being struck by lightening while out on a jog could make anyone a bit foggy but being thrown back into 13th century is down right disorienting. Even more brain rattling is meeting a sexy stonemason that takes care of her and helps acclimate Rose to being a women so far back in time. I'll be honest, Rose grated on me for a while at the beginning. In fact she made a comment about her sleeping with married men that just straight up made me dislike her. However, after going through the whole story between her and Julian, I have to say she made me a believer. The story was really romantic and the two of them together are just pure magic. It is rare that I find a couple rather than a single character really making a story worth while, but this one does just that.
The final story, The Miller's Daughter, was a redemption story if I have ever read one. Sentenced to die after being accused of sorcery, Merofled promises to rid her town of a gargoyle that has everyone in fear. However, after a series of events she finds out that this gargoyle is not what it seems at the surface. She has to convince the warrior Alaric to spare said gargoyle and save his life. This story to me lived and died by Merofled herself. In this case she succeeds in being a character that really enjoyed reading about. She is strong and independent, especially in a time that woman are generally not that. She sees what others refuse to see past the surface of monster that is the gargoyle and recognizes the good. That is something I love in a character and it can change the flow of a story in a heart beat. This one does that and really made me love both heroine and monster by the time is was done.
Overall, these novellas were really great. My favorite of the three was the story of Craig the garden gargoyle simply because it was fun along with being intense, which is hard to accomplish. However, the three are very close in terms of which I liked more so that isn't saying much. If there was one reason I could give you to go out and read this anthology is simply because how many books can you name that involve gargoyles? And how many of those entertained you as much as these did me?
I didn't think so!
The cute one was On a Wing and a Prayer, the story about a garden gargoyle who is desperate to protect the homeowner Bea from her horrible drug-dealing ex-boyfriend and his attempts to scare her. Craig really won my heart over because of how determined he was to keep Bea from harm, even when he knows she can't hear him. After some meddling by modern versions of Roman Gods, he obtains the ability to fly and in doing so giving him the ability to protect her. This story was punctuated by a lot of humor and an overall sense of whimsy, which was really nice. It did get intense for a while there but gave a warm and fuzzy feeling at the end. I really enjoyed it's ability to fit all sorts characters into a short story and still be able to tell me exactly what the main characters all about in so little words. As much as I wanted to more about what was going on in the story, such as why Jupiter would see fit to send major Gods to protect one human, at the end of the day it is a short story so I understood the restraint on story lines. In the amount of story I did read however, Craig was absolutely a hero that Bea deserved.
Romance fell in the middle story, Touchstone of Love, that also through in some time travel into the mix. Rose Waldman started her trip to London via France, where everything seem to going exactly how she planned. That is until she misses her connecting flight and ends up staying the night in a small village in the countryside. Being struck by lightening while out on a jog could make anyone a bit foggy but being thrown back into 13th century is down right disorienting. Even more brain rattling is meeting a sexy stonemason that takes care of her and helps acclimate Rose to being a women so far back in time. I'll be honest, Rose grated on me for a while at the beginning. In fact she made a comment about her sleeping with married men that just straight up made me dislike her. However, after going through the whole story between her and Julian, I have to say she made me a believer. The story was really romantic and the two of them together are just pure magic. It is rare that I find a couple rather than a single character really making a story worth while, but this one does just that.
The final story, The Miller's Daughter, was a redemption story if I have ever read one. Sentenced to die after being accused of sorcery, Merofled promises to rid her town of a gargoyle that has everyone in fear. However, after a series of events she finds out that this gargoyle is not what it seems at the surface. She has to convince the warrior Alaric to spare said gargoyle and save his life. This story to me lived and died by Merofled herself. In this case she succeeds in being a character that really enjoyed reading about. She is strong and independent, especially in a time that woman are generally not that. She sees what others refuse to see past the surface of monster that is the gargoyle and recognizes the good. That is something I love in a character and it can change the flow of a story in a heart beat. This one does that and really made me love both heroine and monster by the time is was done.
Overall, these novellas were really great. My favorite of the three was the story of Craig the garden gargoyle simply because it was fun along with being intense, which is hard to accomplish. However, the three are very close in terms of which I liked more so that isn't saying much. If there was one reason I could give you to go out and read this anthology is simply because how many books can you name that involve gargoyles? And how many of those entertained you as much as these did me?
I didn't think so!
November 15, 2013
Actually 4.5
In "On a Wing and a Prayer" an adorable garden gargoyle seeks to protect his owner, Beatrix, and gets some help from an unexpected place. This novella is charming and Craig, the gargoyle, is a great character. This is a cute story, which will make you smile.
"Touchstone of Love" is a time-travel romance, in which, Rose Walden is sent to 13th century France during a freak storm. There Rose meets Julien, a mason, who is secretly sculpting a gargoyle to enter into a competition. While the romance in this story is enchanting, there wasn't much of the gargoyle in the plot. I found this lack of gargoyle a little disappointing.
My favorite novella in this anthology, "The Miller's Daughter", is about Merofled, who has been sentenced to burn as a witch, and Alaric, who has been tasked with overseeing her execution. Merofled's sentence is postponed, when she volunteers to go with Alaric to rescue a farmer's son, who has been taken by a gargoyle. Merofled, who has a way with animals, realizes the gargoyle is just different and misunderstood, like Merofled, herself. Alaric realizes that Merofled has been unjustly accused and seeks to save her. These two make an appealing couple, who are a little ahead of their time.
Because I love gargoyle stories, I enjoyed this anthology. I recommend this anthology to readers, who enjoy gargoyle tales.
In "On a Wing and a Prayer" an adorable garden gargoyle seeks to protect his owner, Beatrix, and gets some help from an unexpected place. This novella is charming and Craig, the gargoyle, is a great character. This is a cute story, which will make you smile.
"Touchstone of Love" is a time-travel romance, in which, Rose Walden is sent to 13th century France during a freak storm. There Rose meets Julien, a mason, who is secretly sculpting a gargoyle to enter into a competition. While the romance in this story is enchanting, there wasn't much of the gargoyle in the plot. I found this lack of gargoyle a little disappointing.
My favorite novella in this anthology, "The Miller's Daughter", is about Merofled, who has been sentenced to burn as a witch, and Alaric, who has been tasked with overseeing her execution. Merofled's sentence is postponed, when she volunteers to go with Alaric to rescue a farmer's son, who has been taken by a gargoyle. Merofled, who has a way with animals, realizes the gargoyle is just different and misunderstood, like Merofled, herself. Alaric realizes that Merofled has been unjustly accused and seeks to save her. These two make an appealing couple, who are a little ahead of their time.
Because I love gargoyle stories, I enjoyed this anthology. I recommend this anthology to readers, who enjoy gargoyle tales.
November 17, 2013
This was a fun book that I received through a giveaway.I will never see gargoyles the same way again and I now want one for my garden! Inside the reader will find three short stories by three different authors. Each is very different from the others but they have a common magical thread. A good read if you like shorter stories and need a little more magic in your life. For this review and others visit http://wonbooksblog.blogspot.com
July 19, 2013
Three novellas by three different writers--a gargoyle and love being the common theme. However, all three have a unique take on gargoyles which I thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend!
October 25, 2013
I normally do not care for short stories but I really enjoyed these. The are fun and light with a little romance thrown in.
October 31, 2013
Although I am a huge paranormal fan, this was my first foray into gargoyles. I have discovered it was not the place to start. I have no doubt that there are some good gargoyle stories out there, but these particular three lacked depth and eloquence. However, this may be an unfair judgment. I have not read any other works by these authors, and due to the short nature of novellas, there is not much room to flesh out a story as much as one would potentially like. There was some imagination evident in the storylines, with each story having its own unique perspective.
Craig, being the sentient, yet immobile object that he is, tries unsuccessfully to communicate and protect his owner, Bea. Out of nowhere come these “gods” that awaken the powers of mobility and flight that aid him in his objective. There were a lot of minimally explained characters and happenings in this short story, and it was slightly difficult to follow at times. Some of these were just downright unbelievable, even given the fact that it’s a paranormal novella.
The second story, again- too little explanation and too much conflict compressed into too little story. The gargoyle wasn’t the paranormal element in this story; it was merely the object of connection between Rose and Julien. I liked Julien’s character a lot more than Rose. He seemed to have more depth, honesty, and morality than she did and I was able to feel some connection to him as a character. Rose seemed slightly self-indulgent, and it was obvious she was a modern-day woman (not meant as a compliment). I wish the time travel element had been explained a little better, not just “BAM!- you’re in the 13th century,” and then “BAM!- you’re back, and you brought him with you.”
I didn’t even finish the third story. I got about half-way in, and it never got interesting, so I gave up. This one also takes place in the middle ages, and Merofled is saved from being burned as a witch, merely because she agrees to help rescue a farmer’s son from a gargoyle. Seems to me, just agreeing to help in that situation would make her accusers even surer of her witchery. She and the priest assigned to carry out her sentencing then follow the farmer to locate the son. I didn’t get any farther than that, because the farmer’s prejudice was irritating, and I couldn’t become very sympathetic to any of their issues.
Rating: 3
HEAT Rating: Mild
Reviewed By: Daysie W.
Review Courtesy of: My Book Addictions and More
Craig, being the sentient, yet immobile object that he is, tries unsuccessfully to communicate and protect his owner, Bea. Out of nowhere come these “gods” that awaken the powers of mobility and flight that aid him in his objective. There were a lot of minimally explained characters and happenings in this short story, and it was slightly difficult to follow at times. Some of these were just downright unbelievable, even given the fact that it’s a paranormal novella.
The second story, again- too little explanation and too much conflict compressed into too little story. The gargoyle wasn’t the paranormal element in this story; it was merely the object of connection between Rose and Julien. I liked Julien’s character a lot more than Rose. He seemed to have more depth, honesty, and morality than she did and I was able to feel some connection to him as a character. Rose seemed slightly self-indulgent, and it was obvious she was a modern-day woman (not meant as a compliment). I wish the time travel element had been explained a little better, not just “BAM!- you’re in the 13th century,” and then “BAM!- you’re back, and you brought him with you.”
I didn’t even finish the third story. I got about half-way in, and it never got interesting, so I gave up. This one also takes place in the middle ages, and Merofled is saved from being burned as a witch, merely because she agrees to help rescue a farmer’s son from a gargoyle. Seems to me, just agreeing to help in that situation would make her accusers even surer of her witchery. She and the priest assigned to carry out her sentencing then follow the farmer to locate the son. I didn’t get any farther than that, because the farmer’s prejudice was irritating, and I couldn’t become very sympathetic to any of their issues.
Rating: 3
HEAT Rating: Mild
Reviewed By: Daysie W.
Review Courtesy of: My Book Addictions and More
February 6, 2014
I received a copy of this book in place of an honest review.
I begin reading this book and it ended up not being the kind of book I thought it was going to be. I thought it would be about shape-shifters or someone falling in love with a real live gargoyle. That wasn't what this story was about. I got three great mini stories in one.
In the first story we get to meet Craig who is a garden gargoyle. He gets the help from some very special beings to help him take care of his owner Bea. He becomes the one thing that saves her life. This was a really great story and they both end up finding the love they always wanted. Now Craig can be the one who protects the neighborhood.
The second one is about a woman named Rose that really just uses men. She is a software expert and she is in France and ends up missing her flight. That night while she is touching a gargoyle and it starts storming. She wakes up in the thirteenth century and meets the man who made the gargoyle, Julien. With the help of Rose he gets the inspiration that he needed and he fights for true love no matter what happens. Wonder if Rose will get to her time? I know but I'm not telling.
The last book which was a little different than the first one. Merofled is about to be burned at the stake for being a witch. It is only because she is different and can talk to animals. Alaric is a jaded warrior who believes that the friend he grew up with is still the same person. But being bishop can get to your head. Merofled and Alaric is on a mission to find the gargoyle who stole the farmers son. They end up finding even more.
Each story was different but they were very enjoyable to read. I like reading something different and this is what I got. It also taught me to not judge a book by it's cover.
I begin reading this book and it ended up not being the kind of book I thought it was going to be. I thought it would be about shape-shifters or someone falling in love with a real live gargoyle. That wasn't what this story was about. I got three great mini stories in one.
In the first story we get to meet Craig who is a garden gargoyle. He gets the help from some very special beings to help him take care of his owner Bea. He becomes the one thing that saves her life. This was a really great story and they both end up finding the love they always wanted. Now Craig can be the one who protects the neighborhood.
The second one is about a woman named Rose that really just uses men. She is a software expert and she is in France and ends up missing her flight. That night while she is touching a gargoyle and it starts storming. She wakes up in the thirteenth century and meets the man who made the gargoyle, Julien. With the help of Rose he gets the inspiration that he needed and he fights for true love no matter what happens. Wonder if Rose will get to her time? I know but I'm not telling.
The last book which was a little different than the first one. Merofled is about to be burned at the stake for being a witch. It is only because she is different and can talk to animals. Alaric is a jaded warrior who believes that the friend he grew up with is still the same person. But being bishop can get to your head. Merofled and Alaric is on a mission to find the gargoyle who stole the farmers son. They end up finding even more.
Each story was different but they were very enjoyable to read. I like reading something different and this is what I got. It also taught me to not judge a book by it's cover.
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