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Twist of Tales
Of Minds and Monsters: A Retelling of The Beauty and the Beast
Not yet published
Expected 12 Oct 26A retelling of The Beauty and the Beast.
This book is part of A Twist of Tales, a series of nonmagical Christian genderbent fairy tale retellings with epic adventures and animal companions.
This book is part of A Twist of Tales, a series of nonmagical Christian genderbent fairy tale retellings with epic adventures and animal companions.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 12, 2026
About the author
Brianna Lynn Campbell
19 books11 followersBrianna Lynn Campbell is an author and artist with a heart that is easily broken by the world around her. Brianna finds she cannot shy away from subjects that are painful and often ignored. Like many, has wondered how there can be hope when evil and pain run rampant, and she strives to face this darkness with truth.
Brianna lives in Arizona with her husband Scott Campbell. She enjoys playing board games and cards with her husband and siblings. She has a steadily growing collection of dragons and art supplies.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MOMENTS LATE
Moments late is a series of 17 short stories. All but one story is part of a duology. Example: “Shadows in my Hands” has a second part called “Hands that Hold the Sunlight.”
Moments late is in the genera of realistic fiction. It borders the line of YA and Adult due to the range of topics some of which apply to teenagers, and others to adults. The content contains no profanity or explicit scenes, but there are fade-to-black moments, implied comments, and topics that are not intended for a younger YA audience.
Moments Late can be read in multiple different ways.
It can be read in publication order aka: tragedy order. Note: this will be the only option until the entirety of the ebooks are published.
Once the whole series is released, the stories can be read in duology order.
It is also possible to just pick and choose sets to read and skip over other sets entirely. Each story set can stand on its own.
Moments Late contains sensitive topics that may be triggering to some readers. In order to make the series more accessible, the stories can be read in a variety of orders, so any interested reader can safely read parts of the series without feeling obligated to read content that could be triggering. It is also helpful for readers who would simply find reading it in tragedy order, too heavy, to have the option to read it in duology order.
The benefit of reading Moments Late in publication order is that, the stories, though seemingly unconnected at first, do have subtle connections that build off of each other. The central title, “Before My Eyes,” is specifically built upon this growth. The second part also builds off of each other and binds the series together best if read in order. These details can still be observed in duology order, but if some stories are skipped some elements could be missed entirely, but it should not affect the enjoyability of the series.
In the front matter of each story that contains sensitive topics, I have included a content warning.
Example of the content warning for “Shadows in my Hands”
Content Warning
This story contains brief depictions of abuse and implied suicide.
Other sensitive topics and heavy themes that Moments Late contains are: drug addiction, miscarriage, human trafficking, and self-harm.
What other questions do YOU have about Moments late? Feel free to leave them in a comment or message me on Instagram!
Brianna lives in Arizona with her husband Scott Campbell. She enjoys playing board games and cards with her husband and siblings. She has a steadily growing collection of dragons and art supplies.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MOMENTS LATE
Moments late is a series of 17 short stories. All but one story is part of a duology. Example: “Shadows in my Hands” has a second part called “Hands that Hold the Sunlight.”
Moments late is in the genera of realistic fiction. It borders the line of YA and Adult due to the range of topics some of which apply to teenagers, and others to adults. The content contains no profanity or explicit scenes, but there are fade-to-black moments, implied comments, and topics that are not intended for a younger YA audience.
Moments Late can be read in multiple different ways.
It can be read in publication order aka: tragedy order. Note: this will be the only option until the entirety of the ebooks are published.
Once the whole series is released, the stories can be read in duology order.
It is also possible to just pick and choose sets to read and skip over other sets entirely. Each story set can stand on its own.
Moments Late contains sensitive topics that may be triggering to some readers. In order to make the series more accessible, the stories can be read in a variety of orders, so any interested reader can safely read parts of the series without feeling obligated to read content that could be triggering. It is also helpful for readers who would simply find reading it in tragedy order, too heavy, to have the option to read it in duology order.
The benefit of reading Moments Late in publication order is that, the stories, though seemingly unconnected at first, do have subtle connections that build off of each other. The central title, “Before My Eyes,” is specifically built upon this growth. The second part also builds off of each other and binds the series together best if read in order. These details can still be observed in duology order, but if some stories are skipped some elements could be missed entirely, but it should not affect the enjoyability of the series.
In the front matter of each story that contains sensitive topics, I have included a content warning.
Example of the content warning for “Shadows in my Hands”
Content Warning
This story contains brief depictions of abuse and implied suicide.
Other sensitive topics and heavy themes that Moments Late contains are: drug addiction, miscarriage, human trafficking, and self-harm.
What other questions do YOU have about Moments late? Feel free to leave them in a comment or message me on Instagram!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Did Not Finish
September 3, 2026I very rarely DNF books (almost never), but when I started this one and realized it was about recovering from sexual assault, I didn't have the motivation to continue, even for a Beauty and the Beast retelling. It didn't go into detail, which I wouldn't expect since it's from a clean Christian series, but it wasn't for me. I hope it finds the right readers who use it as a source of healing.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ENDORSEMENT
Of Minds and Monsters doesn’t shy away from hard realities—Sometimes, the most dangerous beasts are men and the lies they make you believe. While addressing evil in a fallen world, this character-driven fantasy masterfully explores themes of healing in the hurting and the light of hope during the darkest night. With beautiful allegory interwoven throughout this reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, readers will walk away with fresh hope in the reminder that God’s grace provides restoration.
Other thoughts:
Brought together in the bonds of marriage by a series of events neither would describe as convenient, she fears she’ll never again trust enough to love while he fears he’ll simply never be enough. Can anything good be born of this broken pairing?
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” —Romans 8:28 (NIV)
One of my favorite elements, aside from the adorable and feisty ferret named Bryn, was the unwavering love Noadia had for her children. Additionally, the impact the baby had on the hearts of those in the story…just beautiful! Though she writes historical fiction, I think fans of Jennifer Hunt will enjoy Of Minds and Monsters and appreciate the value placed on life within the narrative. Fans of The Witcher, fairytales retold, and works by Rachelle Nelson, H.A. Pruitt, and M.H. Elrich should definitely add Of Minds and Monsters to their TBR!
Of Minds and Monsters doesn’t shy away from hard realities—Sometimes, the most dangerous beasts are men and the lies they make you believe. While addressing evil in a fallen world, this character-driven fantasy masterfully explores themes of healing in the hurting and the light of hope during the darkest night. With beautiful allegory interwoven throughout this reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, readers will walk away with fresh hope in the reminder that God’s grace provides restoration.
Other thoughts:
Brought together in the bonds of marriage by a series of events neither would describe as convenient, she fears she’ll never again trust enough to love while he fears he’ll simply never be enough. Can anything good be born of this broken pairing?
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” —Romans 8:28 (NIV)
One of my favorite elements, aside from the adorable and feisty ferret named Bryn, was the unwavering love Noadia had for her children. Additionally, the impact the baby had on the hearts of those in the story…just beautiful! Though she writes historical fiction, I think fans of Jennifer Hunt will enjoy Of Minds and Monsters and appreciate the value placed on life within the narrative. Fans of The Witcher, fairytales retold, and works by Rachelle Nelson, H.A. Pruitt, and M.H. Elrich should definitely add Of Minds and Monsters to their TBR!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved getting to see a youg woman's journey through healing from sexual assault and rape. I don't often get to see this particular journey portrayed honestly in Christian Fairytale retellings, so that was refreshing. It was also especially nice to see a birth experience (or a portion of one) that wasn't the typical (and physiologically horrifying) Hollywood lay on a bed and scream.
And, of course I have to mention Bryn, the sweetest ferret of them all.
If you want a fairytale retelling that has a bit more grit to it while also holding out hope to its readers, you should definitely pick this up.
*I got to read this early for endorsement purposes, so I will be writing a separate endorsement.
*The version of this I read did have typos and needed a line edit, but I trust these will be taken care of in late stage editing.
And, of course I have to mention Bryn, the sweetest ferret of them all.
If you want a fairytale retelling that has a bit more grit to it while also holding out hope to its readers, you should definitely pick this up.
*I got to read this early for endorsement purposes, so I will be writing a separate endorsement.
*The version of this I read did have typos and needed a line edit, but I trust these will be taken care of in late stage editing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow.
This was in depth. Beautiful, heart-breaking and yet… God restores. He binds up the brokenhearted and sets captives free.
There’s definitely a heavy depth to this story so I would recommend at least 16+ imo.
I appreciate how deeply God can work in stories like these. Thank you, so much Brianna! This story is bound to touch so many hearts and I pray it does!
-I received an ARC. All thoughts are my own!
This was in depth. Beautiful, heart-breaking and yet… God restores. He binds up the brokenhearted and sets captives free.
There’s definitely a heavy depth to this story so I would recommend at least 16+ imo.
I appreciate how deeply God can work in stories like these. Thank you, so much Brianna! This story is bound to touch so many hearts and I pray it does!
-I received an ARC. All thoughts are my own!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Brianna is one of my favorite people in the whole world. She has prayed for me and I her through various stages of our lives. It is my honor to ARC read this book. This is a deeply moving and powerful story that selves into some hard topics and would be beneficial for just about anyone to read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews